9 Magdalo soldiers changes plea from non-guilty to guilty, promulgation on them set on April 8

Ma. Lourdes “Miami” Ebilane
April 2, 2008
Story: 9 Magdalo soldiers changes plea from non-guilty to guilty, promulgation on them set on April 8

Nine Magdalo soldiers accused of rebellion because of Oakwood Mutiny last July 2003 had entered their guilty plea from non-guilty. Judge Oscar Pimentel of Branch 148 Makati RTC accepted the plea and set the date for their promulgation on April 8, 2008.

However, Pimentel said that whatever verdict will be declared on April 8, it will not affect the case of the remaining accused. Those who change their plea are; Capt. Laurence Somera, 1LT. Florentino Somera, Capt. John Andres, Capt. Alvin Ebreo,Capt. Gerardo Gamballa,Capt. Milo Maestrecampo, 1Lt. Cleo Dungga-as, Capt. Albert Baloloy, Lt. Bryan Yasay.

According to Judge Pimentel he asked twice, if they are sure of what they doing, “Of course as a Judge, I have to asked them if they are sure, they said ‘yes’. I asked them if they were being threatened by somebody else to change their plea they said ‘no’. So I accepted it.”

Since the prosecution already finished in presenting their evidences, Pimentel said, he can already decide on the case of the nine accused. He also added that it seems that the accused are not united anymore because they are doing different moves.

Pimentel also thinks that the nine accused really want to finish the case.

The prosecution panel lead by Asst. State Prosec. Richard Fadullon recommended to Pimentel to have a penalty of 17 years and 4 months to 20 years. But the judge said it does not mean that he will follow te recommendation.

During the hearing, Atty. Ernesto Francisco, for the other accused who did not plea guilty, confident that even if the 9 accused pleaded guilty the case of their client will not be affected. He even said that they will present to the court that what happened in Oakwood was not a mutiny but a show of grievances.

Francisco also thinks that the reason why the 9 pleaded guilty is to let the case be finished, “or maybe there is an arrangement already that if they will plead guilty, they will just wait for their pardon, if they will be granted of it,” he added.