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Friday, August 08, 2003
TFD Davao captain defends mutineers
A MEMBER of the Task Force Davao expressed his support to the Magdalo group, comprised mostly of junior officers of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1995, who staged a mutiny in Makati City on July 27.
Philippine Army Capt. Ralph dela Cruz, in an interview, defended his classmates Thursday, saying the group did not intend to stage a coup d'etat, but merely wanted to express their sentiments against the government and other high-ranking military officials.
"They have their way of expressing their sentiments. Kami na wala ni-apil, we have our own way. But dili pud mo-abot sa point nga ilang gi-air. Ang uban general (issues) man gud," dela Cruz said.
Dela Cruz was a classmate of Capt. Antonio Trillanes, spokesman of Magdalo group, who called for the resignation of President Arroyo, Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes and Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces (Isaf) chief Victor Corpuz.
The group accused Reyes and Corpuz of being involved in the Davao City bombings despite proofs and testimonies showing it was planned by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Dela Cruz was among those who called and advised the Magdalo group to immediately step down and start talks with the government.
One of their former classmates from Cagayan de Oro was sent to Manila and personally convinced the group to end the mutiny.
"Please tambagan nimo ang atong classmates nga mohawa na sa Oakwood and talk with the government," was the message of other members of PMA Class '95 who did not join the movement.
"The stand sa among class is, we will still use the legal channel to air our sentiments. But we will not exceed to the legal code of our system," dela Cruz said.
He denied reports that there were troops in Mindanao who would have reinforced the mutineers in Oakwood if the government used forces to put Magdalo group down.
"Naka-siguro ko nga dili na tinu-od. Very least ang possibility nga mahitabo na (re-enforcement of troops)," dela Cruz said.
Senator Gregorio Honasan, of PMA Class '71, was alleged to have masterminded the mutiny on July 27. The government already filed a rebellion case against Honasan, including one thousand members of the Guardians Brotherhood, believed to have supported the rebel soldiers. GPP
(August 8, 2003 issue)
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