30 officers in mutiny released

Thirty junior military officers accused of taking part in the failed July 27 military uprising have been released from a military stockade in Cavite City.

On orders of President Arroyo, the charges against the 27 Navy, two Army and one Marine officer were dropped by the Judge Advocate General’s Office (JAGO) last Monday.

"Many of the soldiers suspected of participating in the mutiny were actually misled, deceived, and intimidated," Mrs. Arroyo said Tuesday. "I have ordered that those proven to have clean hands be immediately cleared so that we can concentrate on the prosecution of the most culpable conspirators."

In recommending the dismissal of charges against the 30 military officers, the JAGO said: "The evidences and records gathered disclosed that these officers who actually took part in the blood compact, lack full knowledge of the consequences of their acts; that their absence of any deliberate intent to perpetrate the offense of mutiny following the execution of the blood compact; and that these officers, though listed as recruited members of the mutinous group, did not execute any covert act to show clear and direct participation in the mutinous activity that took place on 27 July 2003."

Before the 30 junior military officers can return to active duty, they will have to undergo debriefing under Rear Admiral Edgardo Israel, Armed Forces civil relations chief, and Rear Admiral Mateo Mayuga, Armed Forces deputy chief for personnel.

On the other hand, the JAGO formally notified 37 soldiers yesterday that they will face court-martial for allegedly joining the mutiny.

Brig. Gen. Mariano Sarmiento, the judge advocate general, told the enlisted men they have 10 days to rebut the allegations against them through a formal deposition.

None of the junior officers detained for the rebellion have received the formal charge sheets against them. The 37 soldiers, assisted by lawyers Theodore Te and Ed Abaya of the Free Legal Assistance Group, accepted the charges after they were summoned to the JAGO in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. –Jaime Laude, Marichu Villanueva, Pamela Samia