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Thursday, March 16, 2006
Bounty eyed for arrest of ex-senator, others
MANILA -- Government is mulling a bounty of P5 million to P10 million for the immediate capture of fugitive former senator Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan, who is facing rebellion charges, and those accused with him.
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. said the matter was taken up in Tuesday's Cabinet cluster meeting in Cebu, during which President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo gave orders to the police and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to join the military in its nationwide manhunt for Honasan and several others who were allegedly behind a foiled plot to unseat her.
The military has the complete list of those behind the recent coup plots to topple the Arroyo government who may be subject to a bounty, Gonzalez said.
"It has not been formalized yet (but) as far as I know it's being discussed and there has been no final decision yet on that. What is clear so far is that the President has ordered a composite unit of NBI and the PNP to track down and monitor the movements of those who have gone underground," he said.
Honasan is facing arrest in connection with his alleged involvement in the failed mutiny of junior officers of the military who took over the Oakwood Premier Hostel in Makati City on July 27, 2003. He was also tagged in the coup attempt last February 24.
A warrant of arrest against the former lawmaker was issued by Judge Cesar Santamaria of Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 145, who is also handling the civil case against 31 junior military officers who took over Oakwood in July 2003. No bail was recommended for their temporary liberty.
Aside from Honasan, three other mutineers, Captain Nathaniel Rabonza and First Lieutenants Sonny Sarmiento and Patricio Bumindang Jr., who escaped from detention last January, are giving the military a wild goose chase.
The three escapees fled together with First Lieutenant Lawrence San Juan from the Philippine Army's detention center in Fort Bonifacio on January 17. San Juan was arrested by Army and police operatives on February 22.
Also charged in court were retired Colonel Ernesto Macahiya, retired Captain Felix Turingan, retired Colonel Virgilio Briones, retired Colonel Romeo Lazon, George Duldulao, and Lina Reyes of the Philippine Guardians Brotherhood (PGB).
Gonzalez said he is confident that the putting up of bounty will hasten the capture of the fugitives who have immediately gone in hiding following the government's crackdown on coup plotters.
Based on intelligence reports coming from the police and the military, he said Honasan is still in the country. A hold-departure order has already been issued against him.
"They are underground and they pose danger to national security. If you can put a rogues' gallery and a bounty against kidnap-for-ransom people, why not this one," Gonzalez said.
Meanwhile, Presidential chief of staff Michael Defensor appealed to Honasan to face the charges filed against him so he can prove his innocence.
Defensor also said he can assure Honasan of his safety and they are willing to facilitate the former lawmaker's surrender.
National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, for his part, revealed that an emissary of Honasan called him up and told him that the former senator wants to talk about giving up and surrendering to authorities. (ECV/JMR/Sunnex)
(March 16, 2006 issue)
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