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Friday, January 18, 2008
Ex-soldier arrested over coup plot released
MANILA -- The Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (Isafp) on Thursday released one of the former Army soldiers arrested last Tuesday for possession of unlicensed firearms and for their role in a plan to destabilize the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Sergeant Orlando Valencia underwent a medical check-up after his release from the Isafp detention cell inside Camp Aguinaldo, said his lawyer Trixie Angeles.
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Valencia was released from Isafp custody at 3:30 p.m. Thursday and was welcomed by his wife Mercedia and his two-year-old son Mark Orland.
Valencia, along with former Corporals Redante Maranan, Walter Francisco, Ramon Perania, and Kim Agas -- were arrested by joint elements of the Isafp and PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, and Quezon City Police District in Galas, Quezon City.
While authorities linked the five former soldiers to a plot to destabilize the Arroyo administration, they were initially charged last Wednesday before the Department of Justice (DOJ) with illegal possession of two M16 rifles and an AK47 rifle.
Angeles said the release came after Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuño cleared two of the five accused on the ground that only three firearms were seized. She said Zuno's order was based on the recommendation of a panel of government prosecutors.
However, Angeles said only Valencia was released because the release order failed to mention the other accused who had been exonerated. She said the release order mentioned Valencia's name twice. She said she would inquire from the DOJ about the typographical error.
"Towards the end of the hearing when we spoke with the prosecutors, I told them there are three guns but there are five people (accused)," said Angeles, referring to the inquest proceedings conducted last Wednesday at the DOJ.
She added: "And they (prosecutors) said they did actually have a recommendation already but the recommendation had to be approved first. As of today, the recommendation was approved to exonerate two."
"According to the complaint, he (Valencia) was not handling a gun so naturally he could not be accused of illegal possession (of a firearm). Its (case against Valencia) is completely dropped, he has no case already," Angeles said of his client.
Angeles will seek clarification from the DOJ as to who is the other accused who is exonerated from the case.
The lawyer, however, doubted the order can be settled Thursday. "Someone is going to sleep at the detention before we can clear up things," she said.
"I can't speculate," said Angeles, when asked who is the other accused exonerated by the DOJ. "I have to verify (with DOJ). I don't want to mention a name and he would not be the one who would be released," the lawyer also said.
Authorities said the five soldiers arrested in Galas, Quezon City were involved in a plot to overthrow the Arroyo government but they were initially accused of illegal possession of firearms only.
Angeles said the five were not charged with coup d'etat, rebellion or sedition because "there are no overt acts, there's nothing. All of these are mere rumors and allegations, unsubstantiated allegations" which she said are being floated to justify an extension of the tour of duty of Armed Forces Chief Hermogenes Esperon Jr.
Esperon, who assumed as AFP chief in July 2006, is reaching the retirement age of 56 on February 9. The Constitution says that the President can extend the tour of duty of the AFP chief in times of war or national emergency. The Constitution says the AFP chief's tour of duty shall not exceed three years.
Valencia has been working as a family driver for at least two days already prior to his arrest. Angeles doubted if Valencia could return to his job following his ordeal. "The prospects of this poor man in getting another job are going to get lower," she said.
"Of course we're glad that he is released but why was he picked up in the first place. It's not just Sergeant Valencia, all of them," Angeles said, referring to the four remaining accused. "There is no plot, it is just General Esperon's living nightmare."
Valencia underwent a medical check-up after his release, said Angeles. She said Valencia confirmed that he was kicked by the arresting officers when he was already on the ground.
Angeles said Valencia was innocent of the charges being hurled against him. "He is innocent. He is not afraid of getting picked up again because he is not doing anything, he is not engaged in a sinister plot," she said.
Angeles also said Valencia "remains very supportive of the officers who assisted him among those of which are those who are still detained in Tanay (Rizal). He remains fully supportive of them. He said he cannot forget his superior officers."
She was referring to the Scout Ranger officers who are detained in Tanay, facing court martial for involvement in the February 2006 alleged power grab attempt. Valencia once served as driver of Captain Ruben Guinolbay, one of the accused officers. (VR/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro. (January 18, 2008 issue)
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