11 Magdalo officers plead guilty

Eleven of 17 still detained Magdalo officers facing trial for their involvement in the July 27, 2003 Oakwood mutiny, pleaded guilty as charged before the military court yesterday.

The unprecedented move came following the group’s brief but no-holds barred meeting with Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano.

Headed by Marine Capt. Gary Alejano, the group through their civilian counsel Edgardo Abaya, manifested at the resumption of their trial their intention to change their plea from not guilty to guilty.

Abaya explained his clients’ reversal of plea was done voluntarily and without pre-condition or any secret deal with the military leadership.

Aside from Alejano the other Magdalo officers who pleaded guilty were Capt. Segundino Orfiano Jr., and 1Lt Billy Pascua and Francisco Ashley Acedillo of the Air Force; LtSg James Layug, Eugene Louie Gonzales, Andy Torato, and Manuel Cabochan, LtJg Arturo Pascua, and Ensign Arman Pontejos from the Navy; and 2Lt Jonnel Sangalang from the Marines.

The group along with former Navy Lieutenant Senior Grade and now Sen. Antonio Trillanes, are facing a military court chaired by Air Force Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Legazpi, for violating Articles of War No. 96 otherwise known as conduct unbecoming of an officer and gentleman.

At least 300 junior officers and enlisted personnel stormed and occupied the Oakwood building in Makati City to denounce corruptions in the government and in the military.

The group is also facing coup d’etat charges before the Makati City Regional Trial Court for the same offense.

A case of rebellion was also filed against the accused, except for Acidello, in connection with the group’s Nov. 29, 2006 forced occupation of the Manila Peninsula Hotel also in Makati City.

“It’s a legal option,” Abaya explaining the reversal of pleas, saying his clients wanted to move on and to do away with the military case for them to be able to concentrate on their case pending before the civilian court.

AFP lead prosecutor, Col. Pedro Herrera-Davila himself welcomed the reversal of pleas, but stressed that unlike before, the 11 junior officers did not asked for anything in return.

Davila said the group’s action even took him by surprise because they are already prepared to present their witnesses.

The trial set to start at 9 a.m., was delayed when the accused along with their civilian counsel initiated a meeting with Yano to personally relay their intention to change their plea.

The military court also granted the defense motion to which the prosecution also concurred to reset the hearing for the sentencing of the 11 accused, who most of them are presently detained with Trillanes at the PNP Custodial Center at Camp Crame.

With the impending verdict of the 11, the military tribunal has still to try the last six remaining Magdalo officers to include Trillanes and Capt. Nicanor Faeldon who is still at large.

Earlier, nine Magdalo Army group, led by Army Captains Gerardo Gambala and Milo Maestrecampo that were found guilty and sentence from 12 to 40 years were pardoned by President Arroyo.