Amnesty proclamation also covers civilian supporters

MANILA, Philippines - Proclamation No. 75 granting amnesty to all active and former members of the uniformed services linked to coup attempts against the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo also covers their civilian supporters.

In a paid publication in two broadsheet newspapers, the Department of National Defense (DND) announced yesterday that applicants could secure a copy of the application form from the office of the committee secretariat at the Aguinaldo Room, Armed Forces of the Philippines Officers Club at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

According to the published guidelines, those who are qualified to apply for amnesty are all active and former military and police personnel as well as their supporters who may have committed or may have assisted in crimes punishable under the Revised Penal Code, Articles of War and other laws in connection with the July 27, 2003 Oakwood mutiny, the February 2006 Marines stand-off and the Nov. 29, 2007 Manila Peninsula hotel incident.

These civilian supporters include Ramon Cardenas, former President Joseph Estrada’s son-in-law Beaver Lopez, and Sen. Gregorio Honasan. They were implicated in the Oakwood mutiny.

On the other hand, newspaper columnist Randy David, lawyer RJ Gueverra, and several others were also charged for reportedly supporting the Marines in the stand-off.

Human rights lawyers Homobono Adaza, former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, and a Catholic bishop were among the dozens of civilians that were also charged in connection with the Peninsula hotel incident.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) had already dismissed all the rebellion charges filed against the civilians linked to these three incidents.

Lawyer Trixie Cruz, civilian counsel of the some of rebel soldiers and officers, said that the government could revive the rebellion charges anytime without breaking the law on double jeopardy.

“The rebellion cases filed against them (civilian supporters) when dropped were only on a preliminary stage and the accused were never arraigned,” Angeles said.

She said their (civilian) inclusion in the amnesty program could just be a ploy by the present dispensation to have a clearer picture of what really happened and to determine the extent of military and police involvement as well as public participation in the series of moves to unseat Arroyo.

Those who want to avail of the amnesty program should personally file their application with the defense department’s Ad Hoc Amnesty Committee through the secretariat within a period of 90 days following the date of the proclamation of Proclamation No. 75.

Applications submitted beyond this period would no longer be considered.

The DND Ad Hoc Amnesty Committee will be posting and will calendar the sworn application of any applicant for deliberation or for clarificatory hearing if deemed necessary.

Aside from amnesty applications, the Ad Hoc Amnesty Committee is also open to receive any opposition to granting the amnesty to a particular applicant within 15 days after his or her application has been received and posted by the ad hoc panel.