AFP OKs conditional release of Faeldon

MANILA, Philippines - The military approved yesterday the conditional release of detained Magdalo leader Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Ricardo David said his order to release Faeldon from detention at Fort Bonifacio was based on the recommendation of the Office of the Judge Advocate General.

David said Faeldon would be placed under the custody of Western Command (Westcom) chief Marine Lt. Gen. Juancho Sabban.

“Capt. Faeldon’s transfer (of custody) is approved. He will be released this afternoon (yesterday) under the custody of Gen. Sabban,” Trixie Angeles, Faeldon’s lawyer said.

David recently gave the former fugitive Marine officer a two-day pass pending the resolution of his motion for provisional liberty filed by his lawyer.

Faeldon posted P100,000 bail for his coup d’etat case with the Makati Regional Trial Court but remained in detention because of his pending case before the military court in connection with his role in the July 2003 siege of Oakwood Premier hotel and the November 2007 takeover of The Peninsula Manila hotel, both in Makati City’s commercial district.

Faeldon is reportedly still contemplating whether to apply for amnesty under President Aquino’s proclamation.

Faeldon’s co-Magdalo founder, former Navy captain and now Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, has already applied for amnesty. 

Detained for the Oakwood mutiny, Faeldon walked out of a Makati City court with other rebellious soldiers and took over The Peninsula hotel, purportedly to protest widespread corruption under the Arroyo administration.

Faeldon managed to escape when government troops retook the hotel.

After his escape, Faeldon was spotted in military camps on several occasions, to the embarrassment of the Arroyo administration.

He only surrendered after President Aquino won the presidency, saying that under his administration justice would be finally served.