Ambassador Cimatu finally testify on Oakwood Mutiny

Ma. Lourdes “Miami” Ebilane
March 6, 2008
Story 1: Ambassador Cimatu finally testify on Oakwood Mutiny

After not attending the last hearing (February 21), Middle East Envoy Roy Cimatu finally appear at the Makati RTC Branch 148 and testify on what he knew about the negotiations during the Oakwood mutiny.

It can be remembered that Cimatu did not attend the other hearings dated December 20, 2007, January 24 and February 21, 2008 because according to him he was out of the country on the first two dates and on the latter he visited his sick father in Baguio.

After the hearing, Cimatu told the media that he only testified on what he knew with regards to the negotiations. “I told the Court that our agreement was for them to return to the barracks and subject themselves for Articles of War.”

He also admitted that when he negotiated, he got authority from then Executive Secretary Alberto Romulo.

According to Atty. Nonilon Tagalicud, Clerk of Court of Branch 148 said Cimatu confirms that he was the chief negotiator during the Oakwood mutiny. “On his testimony, he said that he listened on the grievances of the soldiers and talked about their gentleman’s agreement that the soldiers will go back to their units except the five core leaders.”

The five core leaders were Senator Antonio Trillanes IV; Capt. Gerardo Gambala; Capt. Milo Maestrecampo; Lt. SG. James Layug and Capt. Gary Alejano. Tagalicud relates that Cimatu said that he consider him as core leaders because they are the one negotiating for the group.

Cimatu said on his testimony that during their negotiations they only talked about the Articles of War, “According to him he doesn’t know that there are criminal implications on what the soldiers did because he is not a lawyer,” Tagalicud said.

With that statement, lawyers of the accused said that testimony is important, Atty. Ernesto Francisco said, “There was no mention of filing criminal case for coup d’etat. It was very clear to Cimatu that they will be process under the Articles of War with the exemption of the five which he consider as core leaders because they are the ones negotiating in behalf of the group.”

However, all of those who participated in Oakwood were charged of rebellion.

State Prosecutor Richard Fadullon also confirms that during CImatu testimony, Cimatu only talked about the Articles of War and no criminal charges because he was not aware of it. “The agreement was for the five to bear the consequences of what they did.”

Atty. Rey Robles, counsel of Trillanes said “part of the agreement was apart from the five so-called core leaders the rest of the soldiers who joined the mutiny will be subjected only to admonition.”

Meanwhile, Trillanes issued a handwritten statement saying that he will never participate on the hearing anymore. His lawyer said, according to him, he feels that they have been pre-judge already and no amount of his testimony would matter.”

On his statement he stated four undisputed facts on the case, “1. That as of July 2003, I, together with 300 soldiers spoke the truth; 2. No person was harmed; 3. No property was damaged; and 4. Not a single shot was fired. Yet, after almost five years in detention, we still stand accused of committing a crime that could have us incarcerated for life. Is this just? No. Did I ever regret my actions? No.”

He also stated that they only stand up against what is wrong and what and fight for what is right. Thus, he refuse to participate on the hearing but believed that the people had already acquitted him.

Those who are not present on the Oakwood mutiny hearing are:
1. 1Lt. Francisco Acedillo
2. Lt. Rex Bolo
3. 1Lt. Sonny Sarmiento
4. Capt. Gerardo Gambala
5. Capt. Laurence Louis Somera
6. 1Lt. Florentino Somera, Jr.
7. Lt. Von Rio Tayab
8. 1Lt. Cleo Dungga-as
9. Capt. John Andres
10. 1Lt Lawrence San Juan


Additional Notes:

The hearing at Branch 148 where the Oakwood mutiny being heard started at 9:00 am and finished at around 11:00. In time for the other 13 accused to attend their arraignment at Branch 150 where the Manila Pen Siege being heard.

Those who are accused both in Oakwood and Manila Pen Seige are:

1. Senator Antonio Trillanes IV
2. Capt. Gary Alejano
3. Lt Sg James Layug
4. Lt. Sg. Manuel Cabochan
5. Lt Sg Eugene Gonzales
6. 2Lt Jonnel Sanggalang
7. Ltsg Andy torrato
8. Lt Sg Arturo Pascua, JR.
9. Ens. Armand Pontejos
10. Capt Segundino Orfiano, JR
11. 1Lt. Billy Pascua
12. Julius Mesa
13. Cesari Gonzales