|
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Mutineer cuts ties with rebel soldiers
MANILA -- An Army officer involved in the short-lived Oakwood mutiny in July 2003 and in the failed power grab last February admitted dealing with communist leaders to plot the overthrow of the Arroyo government.
Facing the media a week since Army Chief Hermogenes Esperon announced he is now cooperating with government, a repentant 1st Lieutenant Lawrence San Juan did not, however, name the financiers of the Oakwood mutiny as he earlier promised to Esperon.
San Juan, clad in battle dress attire, was presented to the media by Army spokesman Bartolome Bacarro at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio five months after he was recaptured in Batangas.
San Juan, along with three other officers of the group behind the Oakwood mutiny, escaped from an Army detention facility last January 17 but was arrested last February 21. His three co-escapees, Captain Nathaniel Rabonza and 1st Lieutenants Patricio Bumidang and Sonny Sarmiento, fell into the military's hand on Friday last week.
Reading a prepared statement, San Juan said he expected that some would cast doubt on why he renewed his allegiance to the Constitution and to the military.
He said he hoped they would be "enlightened".
San Juan said his statement was a product of his own volition. "Kusang loob ko itong pinagdesisyunan at hindi ako pinilit, diniktahan, tinakot or pinangakuhan
ng kahit anong pabuya (I came to this decision voluntarily and I wasn't forced, dictated upon, threatened, or offered anything in return)," the officer said.
He said joined the failed Oakwood mutiny, initiated by soldiers now known as the Magdalo Group, for the sole purpose of ventilating to the public the problems within the military and to contribute to solving the concerns of soldiers and the entire Armed Forces.
He said his recapture and subsequent detention gave him time to reflect on what happened. He said he came to the conclusion that his actuations did not help improve the status of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the nation.
"Sa halip (ito) ay nagdulot ng pagkasira sa aking sarili, sa aking pamilya, sa mga kasama kong tumakas at sa kanilang pamilya, sa Sandatahang Lakas, at sa
sambayanang Pilipino (Instead, it destroyed me, my family, my fellow escapees and their families, the Armed Forces, and the Filipino people)," the officer also said.
San Juan said he was at fault for pushing his ideals to bring reforms in the system and that he is willing to suffer the consequences of his act. He is facing a coup d etat case before a Makati City court in connection with the Oakwood mutiny.
San Juan is also facing a separate case of rebellion for allegedly playing a role in the botched February 24 plot, allegedly headed by former Scout Ranger commander Danilo Lim, to overthrow the Arroyo government.
He said he is responsible for the condition of the junior officers who escaped from detention with him. That is why, he added, he is taking measures to correct his mistake without seeking anything in return.
He also announced that he is now severing his ties with the Magdalo Group, also known as the Makabayang Kawal Pilipino (MKP) "at muli akong nanunumpa ng katapatan sa ating Konstitusyon at Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas (and I am renewing my allegiance to the Constitution and loyalty to the Armed Forces of the Philippines)."
Answering questions from the media, San Juan said he was not ready to answer questions about civilians involved in the failed Oakwood mutiny and those who financed the activity. He said it might have an effect on his pending cases.
Last week, Esperon said San Juan -- who worked under him when he was a brigade commander in Basilan -- was already cooperating with government and that he was willing to name all the civilians involved in the Oakwood incident.
Following their escape, San Juan, Rabonza, Bumindang, and Sarmiento renewed their call for the institution of reforms. They also went as far as calling for the ouster of the President as they questioned her legitimacy.
Last April 15, San Juan wrote to Esperon expressing apology and seeking forgiveness. The letter, read by Bacarro earlier, says: "I am deeply embarrassed and guilty of what I did. I agree I did something wrong and I'm accepting the consequences of my actions."
The letter also said: "When I escaped, all I had in mind was that everything I am doing was the righteous thing. I was blinded by my self-centeredness, arrogance, and ego. I deliberately blocked myself from people around me. I became irrational and kept on justifying my decision to break the chain of command."
Asked if he is also apologizing to the President for his actions, San Juan told the media: "Wala po akong sinabing o binigay na pahayag o sulat kay Presidente Arroyo sa ngayon pero sa pagpapahayag ko naman siguro na ako'y muling nanunumpa sa ating Konstitusyon, siguro mensahe na rin yun na ako ay nagbabalik sa kanyang
gobyerno (I did not say anything or gave any letter to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo but I believe that by swearing allegiance to the Constitution again, I am sending a message that I am returning to the folds of her government."
In elaborating on his dealing with leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), San Juan said he and lawyer Christopher Belmonte met with Tirso Alcantara, a member of the CPP central committee, before they were arrested in Batangas.
He refused to answer questions when asked what transpired during his meeting with Alcantara but top military officials earlier said the meeting was meant to finalize plans, dubbed as "Final Talk II", to overthrow the Arroyo government.
Bacarro said San Juan could not answer the question because "we don't want to incriminate Lieutenant San Juan."
When asked if San Juan is turning state witness, Bacarro said it will be up to the Department of Justice to determine if San Juan would qualify as a state witness.
San Juan has been on solitary confinement inside a detention facility of the Army's Custodial Management Unit since his recapture. Bacarro said San Juan will remain confined despite his move. (VR/Sunnex)
(July 15, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
Cebu Capitol: debt-free, P2 billion cash