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Tuesday, April 08, 2008
2 Magdalo leaders get life sentence over Oakwood mutiny
MANILA (Update 10:30 a.m.) - Two of the nine rebel military officers, who pleaded guilty to coup d'etat charges last week, were sentenced to life imprisonment Tuesday after they were found guilty of leading the failed mutiny.
Captains Nilo Maestrecampo and Gerardo Gambala get life imprisonment for leading 300 soldiers that took over Oakwood Apartments in Makati on July 27, 2003 to demand the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo
Makati RTC Judge Oscar Pimentel also sentenced the seven other leaders -- Captains Alvin Ebreo, Laurence Luis Somera, Albert Baloloy and John Andres and First Lieutenants Cleo Dongaas, Florentino Somera and Kristoffer Bryan Yasay - to jail terms from six to 12 years.
The nine convicted officers are part of the 22 mutineers, including Senator Antonio Trillanes IV who was then a Navy officer, who demanded the resignation of Arroyo and defense and military officers on allegations of corruption.
They took over an upscale hotel and mall complex and rigged it with explosives in Manila's financial district of Makati. They later surrendered peacefully.
The nine changed their plea from "not guilty" to "guilty" last week while Trillanes and other co-accused will continue their defense for maintaining innocence to coup charges.
Gambala and Maestrecampo earlier apologized to Arroyo for the 2003 coup attempt.
They are also facing separate court martial charges.(Sunnex)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cebu. (April 8, 2008 issue)
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