4 soldiers enter not guilty plea in Basilan probe

MANILA, Philippines - Four senior Army Special Forces officers charged in connection with the ambush-slay of 19 soldiers by Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels in Al-Barka, Basilan last year, entered a plea of not guilty during their arraignment at Camp Aguinaldo yesterday.

When called to face the seven-man panel, Col. Amikandra Undug, former regimental commander of the Army’s Special Forces (SF); Col. Alexander Macario, former commander of the Special Operation Task Force Basilan; Lt. Col. Leonardo Peña, former commander of the 4th Special Forces Battalion based in Basilan; and Lt. Col. Orlando Edralin, former commandant of the SF School, denied any accountability for the death of the 19 soldiers.

The four are facing military trial for violation of Articles of War 84 (willful or negligent loss, damage or wrongful disposition), 96 (conduct unbecoming of an officer and gentleman), and 97 (disorder and neglect to the prejudice of good order and military discipline).

The four entered their pleas during the start of the general court martial hearing presided over by Brig. Gen. Teodoro Cririlo Torralba III.

Peña and Macario were relieved of their posts in the aftermath of the Oct. 18, 2011 ambush-killing in Al-Barka, Basilan where 19 Special Forces and Scout Rangers were killed by combined groups of the Abu Sayyaf and the MILF.

The relief of Undog and Edralin followed after a month later.