|
Five junior military officers on trial for alleged involvement in
the failed July 2003 Oakwood mutiny have pleaded guilty to charges
of violating provisions of the Armed Forces Articles of War (AW).
Army First Lieutenants Lawrence San Juan, Sonny
Sarmiento and Nathaniel Rabonza pleaded guilty before military court
presided by Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Legaspi for violating AW 96, or
“conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman,” which is
punishable with dishonorable discharge from the service.
Two others, Second Lieutenants Jason Panaligan
(Army) and Christopher Orongan (Air Force), pleaded guilty to
violating AW 97, or conduct prejudicial to good order and military
discipline.
Prosecutor Col. Pedro Herrera-Davila explained
Panaligan and Oronga pleaded guilty in exchange for the dropping of
the other charges they are facing before the military tribunal: AW
96, AW 63, or disrespect toward the President, Vice President,
members of Congress and the Secretary of National Defense; AW 64,
disrespect to a superior officer; and AW 67 mutiny or sedition.
On the other hand, San Juan, Sarmiento and
Rabonza, leaders of the Magdalo group, are charged with violating AW
96 before the military court, apart from the coup case they are
facing before the Makati regional trial court.
The court said it would hand down its verdict on
the next hearing.
Only Wednesday, nine Magdalo soldiers changed
their not guilty plea to guilty before the Makati court on coup
charges: Army Captains Gerardo Gambala, Milo Maestrocampo, Alvin
Ebreo, Laurence Louis Somera, Albert Baloloy and John Andres; First
Lts. Florentino Somera and Cleo Dongga-As; and Second Lt. Kristoffer
Bryan Yasay.
-- Maricel V. Cruz
|
