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MANILA, Philippines ? The 11 officers earlier acquitted by a military court for charges of mutiny are officially ?free men,? a spokesman from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Tuesday.
AFP spokesman Lt.Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the release order was signed by Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Rodrigo Maclang Friday last week and will take effect Tuesday.
?[The] 11 officers that were found to be cleared by the general court martial will finally be turned over to their respective major services as free men,? Brawner said.
The officers were cleared during the Court Martial hearing on October 15, held at Daza Park, Camp Aguinaldo.
Cleared were Col. Januario Caringal and Major Francisco Fernandez of the Marines, and Lt. Colonels Nestor Flordeliza and Edmundo Malabanjot, Captains Ruben Guinolbay, Frederick Sales, and Allan Aurino, 1Lieutenants Ervin Divinagracia, Jacon Cordero, Sando Sereno and Richiemel Caballes of the Army Scout Rangers.
?They shall be released to their respective major services through their respective administrative holding centers after compliance with all administrative matters prior to their posting to military duties. For this purpose you are further directed to make an after compliance report to the chief of staff,? Brawner said quoting the release order.
He added that the delay in the release of the 11 officers was because they had to undergo medical examinations after the order was signed.
?It?s part of the process? before they are turned over to their respective services, they have to be in good medical condition,? Brawner said.
Chief of Staff Victor Ibrado has called for the 11 released officers to personally talk to them and ?encourage? them to return to military service.
Nevertheless, Brawner said that the acquitted officers are also free to resign from the AFP if they wish to do so.
The military chief treats them ?like his own children? since most served in the Scout Ranger regiment under him when Ibrado was still heading the Southern Command, Brawner said.
The 11 officers were among the 28 accused of staging a failed power grab by allegedly planning to join anti-government protesters staging a rally at the Edsa shrine on Feb 25, 2006 and withdraw their support from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo?s administration.
Seventeen other officers including former Scout ranger chief Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, former Marines commandant Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda, and Medal of Valor awardees Col. Ariel Querubin are still facing court martial for charges of mutiny.
The other officers still detained are Colonels Orlando de Leon, Armando Banez, Custodio Parcon, Achilles Segumalian; Maj. Jason Aquino, Leomar Jose Doctolero, Isagani Criste, Montano Almodovar, James Sababan, Joey Hontiveros, William Victorino Opano, Dante Langkit, 1Lt Homer Estolas of the Scout Rangers and Miranda?s lady officer aide Marine 1Lt. Belinda Ferrer.
