Category: Military

Trillanes applies for amnesty, has no regrets

Published by Ellen on January 5, 2011

By Ryan Chua, ABS-CBN News

“Let me be clear. We admit guilt as far as rising up against the most corrupt president this country ever had,” he said. “Proudly.” – Trillanes

Reiterating that they have no regrets about rising against the previous administration, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and other Magdalo soldiers on Wednesday formally applied for amnesty, which requires an admission of guilt.

In his application form, Trillanes signed a portion acknowledging his involvement in uprisings that entail “a violation of the 1987 Constitution, criminal laws, and the Articles of War” and recanting his statements in the past that are contrary “to this express admission of involvement/participation and guilt.”

Trillanes clarified that this does not mean admitting that what they did against the Arroyo administration was wrong.

“Ever since hindi naman kami nagpanggap na ‘yong ginawa namin ay natutal na ginagawa ng sundalo. We are man enough to admit we have broken rules in the pursuit of our cause,” he told reporters after submitting his application.

Trillanes said what they signed was just a general admission of guilt of some rules, and does not mean they’re regretting anything.

Gen.Garcia case: a test of Aquino’s anti-corruption drive

Published by Ellen on January 4, 2011

Update: Sandiganbayan okayed Garcia plea bargain last May (during the Arroyo administration)

A briefer on the Carlos Garcia case

Update: Tax case filed vs Garcia

Ma. Gen. Carlos Garcia — Getting away with plunder

The Office of the Solicitor General is set to file an intervention to the plea bargain deal of Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia, former comptroller of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Ombudsman that allowed him to get away with plunder of taxpayers’ money allotted for the soldiers who are asked to lay their life to keep peace and security for the people.

Tuesday, staff members of the OSG were reportedly busy copying the nine volumes of documents that gave a glimpse of the massive corruption in the military.

That’s a welcome news because many are wondering why the Aquino government seemed not to be moving while Garcia, his wife and children were securing their ill-gotten wealth and freedom.

Dapat ikondena ang pagpatay sa Samar 11

Published by Ellen on January 2, 2011

Peace Presidential Adviser visits one of the Samar 11 wakes

Tama ang punto ni Col. Antonio Parlade, Jr., hepe ng Public Affairs ng Philippine Army sa kanyang emosyunal na sulat kung bakit ang mga defenders ng human rights ay tahimik sa ginawang pagpatay ng New People’s Army ng 10 sundalo kasama ang isang bata sa Samar noong Disyembre 14, dalawang araw magsimula ang napagkasunduang ceasefire sa pamagitan ng pamahalaan at ng Communist Party party of the Philippines, National Democratic Front at NPA.

Nagawa ang pagpatay sa pamamagitan ng landmine sa Las Navas sa Northern Samar. Mga miyembro ng 803rd Brigade ang nasawi na pabalik na sa headquarters para umuwi sa pamilya sa Pasko at bagong taon.

Malalim ang sama ng loob ni Parlade. Sabi niya:

“ Ang tanong namin: nasaan ang mga human rights advocates? Nasaan ang mga nagpu-protekta ng karapatan ng mga bata?

Continue readingDapat ikondena ang pagpatay sa Samar 11

Trillanes finally free, thanks Pres. Aquino

Published by Ellen on December 20, 2010

Update:Trillanes vows support of Aquino’s anti corruption drive

Sen. Antonio Trillanes reiterated today (Dec. 23) his support for President Aquino in his first visit to the Senate since he was elected senator in May 2007.

In his first press conference at the Senate, Trillanes said his support for Aquino who granted him and more than 300 members of the military would include fighting corruption. “One way we can help the President is to give him information on the ground. We can relate these directly to the President without going to the media first for publicity purposes.” http://verafiles.org/main/news/trillanes-vows-support-of-aquino%E2%80%99s-anti-corruption-drive/

Freedom 1 — First glimpse of world outside prison walls after 7 years!

After almost 7 years and 5 months in prison,Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV is finally free.

He stepped out of his detention cell in Camp Crame at 9:24 p.m, Dec. 20 (Monday). His release was made possible by the order of Judge Oscar Pimentel to turn him over to the custody of the Senate.

Trillanes statement:

I would like to express my gratitude once again to President Aquino and all those who made this Amnesty possible.

Likewise, I thank my family,friends and supporters who patiently stood by us through this long and difficult journey.

Finally to our countrymen, be assured of our unwavering commitment to selflessly serve our Country and People. May God bless us all.”

Trillanes a victim of betrayal: Robles

By David Dizon, abs-cbnNEWS.com

Foul, foul

Published by Ellen on December 19, 2010

These scoundrels really know timing.

They unloaded their dirty tricks at the time when when the public was busy with Christmas shopping and parties while coping with issue overload — Amnesty proclamation for military rebels, release of Morong 43, boycott of Nobel Peace Prize ceremonies in exchange for the life of Filipino drug traffickers, and acquittal of Hubert Webb and company in the Vizconde massacre case .

First was the decision of the Supreme Court allowing Mikey Arroyo to take his seat as sectoral representative of the security guards and tricyle drivers upholding the bastardization of the partylist system. The second was the deal struck by retired Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia with the Sandiganbayan.

Ex-Ombudsman, reform group slam Garcia plea bargain

Published by Ellen on December 17, 2010

From ABS-CBN online

Former Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo and a reform group criticized state prosecutors for entering into a plea bargaining agreement with ex-military comptroller Major Gen. Carlos Garcia who was facing plunder and money laundering charges worth P303 million.

Just in time for Christmas, the Sandiganbayan antigraft court on Friday ordered the release of former military comptroller Carlos Garcia, who had been detained for the past six years while on trial for amassing P303 million in ill-gotten assets.

The Sandiganbayan Second Division has granted Garcia’s petition for bail and ordered the Philippine National Police to release him from its custody.
. http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20101218-309627/Sandigan-frees-general-facing-plunder-charges

Marcelo said the plea bargaining agreement, which allowed Garcia to enter guilty pleas for the lesser and bailable offenses of direct bribery and violation of Section 4-B of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA), is illegal.

“Under the rules of court, a plea bargaining agreement may only be entered if the prosecution has not yet started the presentation of evidence. In this case, the prosecution has already completed it. Further, the court has already ruled that the prosecution has presented sufficient evidence to convict Garcia,” he said in a text message.

Promulgation on Oakwood ‘coup’ deferred indefinitely

Published by Ellen on December 16, 2010

after deferment of promulgation dec 16 '10 — Hopes to finally be able to perform duty in the Senate next year

Judge Oscar Pimentel of Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 148 today (Dec 16) deferred the promulgation on the 2003 Oakwood coup d’etat case against the Magdalo soldiers including Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV.

Pimentel said he is bowing to the wisdom of President Aquino’s amnesty proclamation for members of the military that rebelled against Gloria Arroyo. Amnesty Proclamation No. 75 has been concurred in by Congress.

Magdalo Spokesman Ashley Acedillo said, “We thank the Court not only for submitting to the grace of the State but more importantly, in keeping with the spirit of the season.”
From ABS-CBN:

The Makati City Regional Trial Court (RTC) on Thursday deferred the promulgation of the decision on the rebellion cases filed against Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and members of the so-called Magdalo Group involved in the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny.

House approves amnesty proclamation for Trillanes et al

Published by Ellen on December 13, 2010

Judge Oscar Pimentel of Makati Regional Trial Court denied the petition of Trillanes to cancel promulgation of the coup d ‘etat case in the light of the amnesty proclamation. Promulgation today.

In a vote of 213 “Yes” and seven “No”, the House of Representatives concurred with Proclamation 75 which grants amnesty to military and police personnel who participated in the July 2003 Oakwood mutiny, the February 2006 attempted withdrawal of support and the November 2007 Manila Peninsula siege.

Some congressmen took time to explain their vote. Bayan Rep. Teddy Casiño said, “Patriots deserve freedom.”

While a number of them expressed the hope that it would be the last amnesty to military rebels they would have to concur with, Rep. Salvador Escudero said, “I pray that the present and future governments govern well” so as not to give reasons for members of the military to rebel.

A breakthrough for ‘desaparecidos’

Published by Ellen on December 1, 2010

In the Philippines, if someone kills somebody, he can be charged with the crime of murder. If the criminal is smart and just makes his victim disappear from the face of the earth, he cannot be charged with any crime because there is no body to prove murder.

That’s why nobody has been charged for the disappearance of Jonas Burgos, activist –farmer and son of press freedom crusader Jose Burgos, Jr, since he was abducted by what appeared to be members of the military April 28, 2007. The same is true with the case of University of the Philippines students Karen Empeno and Sherlyn Cadapan who were picked up by members of the military from their boarding house while they were doing field work on June 26, 2006.

In the case of the six workers of Paper Industries Corporation of the Philippines (PICOP) workers abducted on October 14, 2000 by members of the 62nd Infantry Battalion, 8th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army and remain disappeared up to this day, Corporal Rodrigo Billones has been convicted but of kidnapping and serious illegal detention. Despite strong evidence, he was not charged with enforced disappearance due to the absence of an anti-enforced disappearance law.

Hinihintay ang paglaya ni Trillanes

Published by Ellen on November 28, 2010

Pinakita sa akin ng aking kaibigang si Pamsy Tioseco, public relations officer ni Sen. Loren Legarda, ang magandang Christmas decoration sa pintuan ng opisina ni Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV sa Senado.

“Talagang excited na sila sa pagdating ng kanilang boss,”sabi ni Pamsy tungkol sa mga staff ni Trillanes.

Talaga naman. Sa paglabas ng panibagong amnesty proclamation (Proclamation no.75), kung saan isinama ang mga suhestyun galing sa mga senador at congressman, inaasahan na makalabas na si Trillanes sa kulungan bago mag-Pasko.

Sana nga bago Disyembre 15, bago mag-Christmas break ang Senado para makita naman niya ang kanyang opisina.
Pitong taon nang nakakulong si Trillanes as kanyang panindigan sa paglapastangan ni Gloria Arroyo ng batas at pagtiwala ng taumbayan. Unang nilang ginawa ng kanyang mga kasamahang opsiyalk at sundalo ang pagkondena sa korapsyun sa pamahalaang Arroyo sa Oakwood Hotel noong Hulyo 27, 2003.

Nanindigan sila ulit noong Nobyembre 29, 2007, tatlong taon na ngayong araw, nang sila ay nag-walkout sa hearing sa Makati Regional Trial Court at pumunta sa Manila Peninsula.