DILG, PNP to Honasan: Surrender now

Authorities advised former senator Gregorio Honasan yesterday to surrender to avoid being arrested.

Honasan went into hiding after he was charged with the crime of coup d’état in connection with the failed Oakwood military mutiny in July 2003.

Two days ago, police arrested two of his co-accused in the case.

Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno assured Honasan and several others facing coup d’état charges that they will be afforded the rights due every Filipino citizen.

"I’m sure that it’s only a matter of time before we will be able to bring in everyone that has an outstanding warrant of arrest," he said.

"We will renew our appeal to former senator Honasan, who is a good friend of mine. I hope that they will come back to the fold of the law and face these charges. We can assure them of proper and honorable treatment if they come in and we know that they also subscribe to democratic processes and our judicial processes."

Puno said four outstanding warrants were out for the arrest of Honasan, former Navy Capt. Felix Turingan, George Duldulao and Lina Reyes, who were all on Honasan’s staff when he was senator.

"And we assure you that the work that needs to be done will be carried out here by the PNP (Philippine National Police)," he said.

"It will be easier for everybody if they turn themselves in so these cases can be litigated in court, instead of out there in the field where everybody gets tested physically in every way.

"Also it will clarify the issue of whether they are in fact behind these bombings that are going on in Metro Manila recently."

PNP chief Director General Arturo Lomibao also called on Honasan to surrender as they presented to the media retired Army colonels Romeo Lazo and Virgilio Briones, who were arrested one after the other in Quezon City on Saturday.

"The lesson learned here is the long arm of the law will soon catch up with those who are wanted," he said.

"Again, I would like to appeal, like the secretary, to those in hiding to give themselves up and face the charges. I’m sure that the court will also give them the privilege of being heard."

Lazo and Briones are both members of Philippine Guardians Brotherhood Inc. (PGBI) founded by Honasan.

During the media presentation, the two were given chairs and were seated far behind Puno and Lomibao, unlike other detainees, who wore T-shirts marked "Detainee" and were in handcuffs.

Lomibao and Director Jesus Verzosa, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief, refused to give details of the arrest pending further investigation and operations against the other fugitives.

Reports showed that at around 7:30 a.m., Lazo was arrested by and CIDG and military intelligence agents in Novaliches, Quezon City.

Several hours later, at around 1 p.m., follow-up operations led to the arrest of Briones at a fast-food restaurant in Muñoz, also in Quezon City.

It was not immediately known if Lazo provided information to government agents that resulted in the arrest of Briones.

Lazo and Briones were subjects of an arrest warrant issued by a Makati City Regional Trial Court judge on coup d’état charges.

The arrest of Lazo and Briones has brought to three the number of Honasan’s men who are now in police custody.

Last April 28, former Army colonel and PGBI spokesman Ernesto Macahiya was arrested in a cockpit in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Macahiya is now detained at the Makati City jail and is facing coup d’état charges.

All three had a P500,000 reward offer for their arrest.

Honasan has a P5-million bounty on his head; Turingan, P1 million; while Duldulao and Lina Reyes each have a P250,000 reward for their arrest.