3 coup plotters to face more charges AFP

MANILA, Philippines – Three military officers accused of involvement in the failed 2006 coup will be charged with more violations of the Articles of War for fighting off troops transferring them from a military stockade in Tanay, Rizal to military intelligence headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

“The ungentlemanly, impolite and offensive behavior shown by Col. Ariel Querubin and Col. Orlando de Leon towards their military guards has manifested a worsening discipline among the ranks of officers who are now facing charges for attempting to create a mutiny and conduct unbecoming an officer and gentleman,” said Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro, AFP public information chief.

“Capt. Frederick Sales kicked one of the guards and again shouted profane language and threatening words at the security escorts, prompting the latter to vacate the main detention facility.”

Former Marine commandant Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda and the other accused military officers and soldiers have allowed military police to bring them to Camp Aguinaldo without any resistance.

In a statement, Bacarro said detained Marine and Scout Ranger officers have shown unruly and offensive behavior towards their custodians, particularly when some of them defied court-martial orders for them to attend the hearing last Feb. 1 at Camp Aguinaldo.

“As a result of this incident, the AFP is looking at charging these officers for possible violation of the Articles of War and other related laws,” he said.

“Likewise, a review is being made for a possible curtailment of their privileges to prevent these officers from repeating the same misconduct.”

Quoting a report from Col. Arnulfo Marcos, AFP Custodial and Detention Center chief, Bacarro said Miranda, Querubin and De Leon refused to attend the court-martial hearing last Feb. 1 at Camp Aguinaldo.

“They deliberately refused to attend the scheduled GCM2 hearing,” he said.

“Being military officers, they knowingly and intentionally disobeyed the legal orders of a superior officer (i.e. the presiding officer); and being detainees, showed grave disrespect to the rule of law and to the honorable court.”

Bacarro said Lt. Col. Archilles Segumalian, Captains Montano Almodovar and Frederick Sales prevented senior officers from being brought out of the detention center in Camp Capinpin in Tanay.

De Leon also resisted when he was being taken out of the detention center, he added.

Bacarro said a doctor was immediately brought in to verify the real health condition of Querubin. 

“After examination, Colonel Querubin was found fit to travel and was issued the appropriate medical certificate,” he said.

“However, he still resisted to be brought out of the main detention facility, punching Colonel Marcos several times on the left hand, abdomen and chest areas.”

“Captain Almodovar who was also present during the incident started smashing plastic chairs on the floor while shouting profane language and threatening words at the security escorts.” Captain Sales joined the foray and also started shouting profane language and threatening words at the security escorts. He held onto a roughly-made wooden table, leaving minor bruises on his arms.

“Colonel De Leon then complained of dizziness. Another medical doctor was brought in to check on Colonel De Leon. After being examined Colonel De Leon was also found fit to travel and was issued the appropriate medical certificate.”

“The misconduct manifested their desperate attempt to defy authorities and delay the ongoing proceedings of the GCM2.”

Meanwhile, the military tribunal again failed to arraign four of the 28 accused military officers after defense lawyers argued that the reading of charges should not be done in batches.

Instead the court decided to reset the hearing on Feb. 13, without an official announcement if all the accused should be present during the proceedings.

Maj. Emilio Felicen, court-martial spokesman, said the court is yet to decide on whether the 28 accused officers should be arraigned as a group or in batches.

Only Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, Marine Colonels Januario Caringal and Armando Bañez, and Army Capt. Dante Langkit were present during the hearing.

The rest of the accused officers are at present detained at a custodial facility inside the headquarters of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines at Camp Aguinaldo.   – James Mananghaya