Tuesday, October 17, 2006 Results of military probe on coup plotters set to be released
INVESTIGATORS from the military's Judge Advocate General's Office (Jago) will come out this week with the result of its pre-trial investigation against renegade officers linked to the failed plan to overthrow the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last February.
Armed Forces Chief Hermogenes Esperon Sr. said the pre-trial investigation panel headed by Colonel Al Pererras is due to submit to him its recommendation within the week.
The panel of Pererras started the pre-trial investigation against the coup plotters, led by erstwhile First Scout Ranger Regiment commander Danilo Lim, started in July aimed at determining a prima facie case against the respondents.
"I'm awaiting the report on the pretrial investigation from Colonel Pererras. We hope to do it within the week," said Esperon following an inspection of troops from the National Capital Region Command (NCRcom) in Camp Aguinaldo.
The pre-trial investigation was conducted after a military fact-finding body headed by AFP inspector general Rufino Lopez recommended the conduct of court martial proceedings against the officers.
The other prominent offices who are under pre-trial investigation by the panel of Pererras are former Marine commandant Renato Miranda and Medal of Valor awardees Ariel Querubin and Custodio Parcon.
The group of Lim, who are facing various charges including attempting to begin or create mutiny, supposedly planned to join anti-government protest rallies last February 24 at the Edsa Shrine and subsequently withdraw their support from Arroyo.
"Upon receipt of the preliminary trial investigation report, I will henceforth decide on whether we will convene, file charges and convene general court martial. The final approval will be from me," said Esperon.
About two weeks ago, text messages spread that the pre-trial investigation panel has recommended the dismissal of the case against Lim and his cohorts and that a furious Esperon supposedly sacked the lead investigator.
Esperon and AFP public information office chief Bartolome Bacarro have dismissed the text messages. Bacarro said the text messages were part of a renewed campaign to discredit Esperon and divide the Armed Forces.
Esperon said he could override a possible recommendation by the pre-trial investigation panel if it recommends the dismissal of the cases. "I can, I
can, I can. Lets just wait (for the recommendation), within the week most likely," he said.
Commenting on the pronouncements of the lawyers of the coup plotters that the attempted mutiny is a lower offense as against mutiny, Esperon said: "If that is their contention, then let's see each other in court."
"That's always a defense that their offense is lower than mutiny, then let them argue from that stand and we will defend whatever charges we will file against the destabilizers last February,' said Esperon.
Asked if he is standing pat on earlier statement that he would not be lenient towards the erring officers, Esperon said: "I'm now the chief of staff so I want to, at this point, avoid commenting on my future actions since I will be a witness and I will also be deciding on a lot of (things)."
Esperon's affidavit was among the evidence used by the military in building up the case against Lim. Esperon was the Army chief when Lim and his reportedly plotted to grab power from the Arroyo government.
Esperon said his affidavit delved on the February 23 command conference where Lim, Miranda and Querubin told then Armed Forces chief Generoso Senga their plans. The plan did not materialize when Lim was confined to his quarters hours before they could join the anti-government rallies.
"I did submit my statements as commanding general of the Philippine Army, specifically on the night of February 23 when we had that conference with the chief of staff and the major services as well as General Lim and Colonel Querubin and General Miranda," he said.
Early last month, Esperon told the Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC) that the report of the pre-trial investigation panel would be submitted in a week's time and that the court martial proceedings would be proceeding within that month.
On why the earlier timeframe was not met, Bacarro attributed it to the request of the respondents to give them more time to prepare their counter affidavits. But Bacarro said allowing the officers an extension was under the military's justice system. (VR/Sunnex)
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