‘Rivas admitted to everything but the affair’

Military lawyer Capt. Candelaria "Candy" Rivas has admitted to supporting Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon’s fight for reforms, but she again denied having any romantic relationship with him.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Provost Marshal Col. Henry Galarpe said Rivas admitted to "everything but the relationship" with the alleged leader of the 2003 mutiny during a preliminary investigation on Feb. 1.

Galarpe said the confession could be used as basis for charging Rivas with the violation of Articles of War 96 (conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman) and 97 (conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline).

Before charges could be filed, Faeldon, who is detained at the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) offered Rivas services of his lawyers.

Faeldon made the offer through a handwritten note his lawyers delivered to Rivas, who is under the custody of the Camp commander.

"Candy, it is important for us to have a common lawyer, I want attorney Mortel and Gito to be our common lawyer. Your existing lawyer will also do," Faeldon said in the letter, which he signed with his nickname, "Nick."

It was not clear, however, if Rivas agreed to Faeldon’s recommendation.

Galarpe conducted the preliminary investigation at the ISAFP on Faeldon, who was assisted by his lawyers, Gideon Mortel and Gener Gito.

Galarpe said Rivas admitted she supported Faeldon’s cause, though she said "she still loves the AFP."

Rivas "issued a statement that she supported Faeldon. That is fostering disaffection. That is obviously a disloyal statement... a violation of the chain of command," Galarpe told a news conference in Camp Aguinaldo.

According to Galarpe, Rivas also confirmed that she released a statement to media shortly after she and Faeldon were arrested on Jan. 27. The letter stated that Rivas supported Faeldon’s cause.

During questioning, Galarpe said Rivas clarified that she was "just for reforms," and not for the ouster of President Arroyo.

He added that Rivas said she and Faeldon were "just friends." The military initially insinuated that the two were lovers.

Faeldon’s ten-year marriage with Tita Untalan was annulled in 2004 while Rivas is single.

"She (Rivas) was trying to bring Capt. Faeldon closer to God," Galarpe said by way of explanation as to why Rivas was with Faeldon when the latter was arrested last Jan. 27, ending Faeldon’s 44 days as a fugitive.

Galarpe said the decision on whether or not to forward the case against Rivas to the Judge Advocate General’s Office (JAGO), her mother unit, for pre-trial investigation will be handed down next week. — Cecille Suerte Felipe