9 Oakwood soldiers to walk free

Nine Army men linked to the failed Oakwood mutiny in 2003 will walk free after a military court dropped charges against them yesterday for insufficient evidence.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines general court martial ordered the release of Sgt. Michael Llamas, Sgt. Dante Bulawan, Cpl. Ramon Pedregosa, Cpl. Albert Garde, Cpl. Jonathan Calcada, Cpl. Arnold Gregorio, Pfc. Ronnie Cabaltera, Pfc. Marlon Cesar, and Pfc. Ian Matematiko, based on a recommendation of the Special Adjudication Board dated July 20, 2006.

Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon gave his approval to the recommendation following the review of the charges leveled against the soldiers.

Col. Pedro Herrera-Davila, head of the military prosecution panel, forwarded the recommendation to the general court martial during yesterday’s hearing at Camp Aguinaldo.

The nine soldiers would be discharged from trial and would have their liberties restored. They are expected to be restored to active military duty.

On the other hand, the court martial, led by Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Legaspi, approved the recommendation of the Special Adjudication Board, denying the petition of Cpl. Jose Molong and Pfc. Winston Iponia for the dismissal of charges against them.

Molong and Iponia will continue to be tried for alleged violations of Articles of War 63 (disrespect to the President), 64 (disrespect toward superior officers), 67 (mutiny), and 97 (conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline).

The Special Adjudication Board said in its recommendation that the denial of the petition is without prejudice if the two enlisted men desire to enter a plea bargain.

Meanwhile, the prosecution panel denied the petition of 59 junior officers for a plea bargain because the terms of the accused were "unacceptable."

Herrera-Davila did not elaborate, but said there is no written communication explaining the denial, saying it was based on "verbal orders from higher authorities."

Out of the 60 junior officers facing various charges before the military court, 59 made the plea.

The only officer who did not seek a plea bargain was 1Lt. Patricio Bumidang.

Davila said 12 other officers have asked the adjudication board to drop charges against them.

They were Maj. Danilo Luna, Maj. Yuri Pesigan, Capt. Francis Balan, Navy Ensign Ronald Paras, Capt. Rodolfo Ortreras, Capt. Philip Fortuno, Capt. Oliver Almonares, 1Lt. Nestor Aquino, 1Lt. Edmund Bandillo, 2Lt. Aldrin Baldonado, 1Lt. Maximo Mendoza and 2Lt. Engelbert Gay.

On July 27, 2003 renegade soldiers, who identified themselves as members of the Magdalo, took over posh Oakwood Hotel in Makati’s financial district.  They later surrendered following negotiations.