Court trial on Oakwood mutiny continue despite of the conviction on 9 other Magdalo members

Miami
April 10, 2008
Story 2: Court trial on Oakwood mutiny continue despite of the conviction on 9 other Magdalo members

The hearing on accused Magdalo soldiers continue even though nine of the 31 accused Magdalo soldiers were sentenced to reclusion perpetua and reclusion mayor last April 8, 2008, after they change their plea from non-guilty to guilty last April 1, 2008.

In the witness stand was former Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Narcisio Abaya. Criminal case clerk of Court of Branch 148 of the Makati RTC, Mr. Noel dela Cuesta said that Abaya did not say that the act that the solders committed was coup d’etat. “But he confirmed that the soldiers went to Oakwood armed and expressed their grievances.”

However, according to Asst. Chief of State Prosecutor Richard Fadullon, “Abaya said that the grievances of the Magdalo soldiers were valid and the act they committed was coup d’etat.

Fadullon also said that they opposed on Abaya to become witness because for the prosecution, whatever Abaya will say will be irrelevant already. “Aside from they were armed during that time, they also asked for the resignation of the president (Gloria macapagal-Arroyo) and some AFP officials, that is coup already,” Fadullon said.

Meanwhile, the defense panel said that Abaya did not say the soldiers did not commit coup d’etat because there was no attack from the Magdalo soldiers happened. “In fact, Abaya said that he send troops at the area to protect the junior officers, so tey are not in the defensive position,” Atty. Ernesto Francisco said.

Francisco said that Abaya confirms the grievances of the Magdalo soldiers regarding to the attacks and bombings happening in Mindanao. “The AFP blames the MILF and MNLF for the bombing incidents in Mindanao, but the junior officers believed that some members of the AFP were the ones who did it because of the 81 mm ammunition found in Cotabato which they believed is belonged to the AFP” he said.

The next hearing is set on April 24, 2008.

Meanwhile, 1st Lt. Lawrence San Juan, Philippine Army, posted bail for him to be free again. Judge Oscar Pimentel of Makati Branch 148, had ordered his release after San Juan paid Php 100,000 as bail bond. San Juan was not considered as one of the core-leaders of the Magdalo the reason why Judge Pimentel approved of his provisional liberty.