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By Jefferson Antiporda, Reporter
Nine Army officers jailed for their part in a
failed coup in 2003 apologized for their rebellion and sought a
pardon during a press conference in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, on
Friday.
And, Malacañang seems to be open to giving that
to the convicted coup plotters.
Speaking in behalf of the convicted, Capt.
Gerardo Gambala said, “We apologize to the Filipino people. We
apologize to the Armed Forces, the institution we severely
damaged.”
Earlier this week, Makati Regional Trial Court
Judge Oscar Pimentel sentenced Captains Gambala and Milo
Maestrecampo to life in jail—from six to 40 years. The seven
others were handed a lighter jail sentence of up to 12 years each.
“We know in our hearts that we are guilty, and
we accept the verdict of the court,” Gambala said. “We
undoubtedly made a mistake. We ask for forgiveness for our
rebellion.”
“I am applying for pardon . . . We are
applying for pardon,” said Gambala, who spoke in behalf of the
so-called Magdalo fraternity of soldiers.
The junior officers led some 300 soldiers in
taking over Oakwood, a luxury apartment-hotel in Makati City, the
country’s financial center. They called on President Gloria Arroyo
and her top generals to step down over alleged corruption.
The group of soldiers has drawn a certain amount
of public sympathy. One of the ringleaders, ex-Navy Lt. Antonio
Trillanes, last year won a Senate seat campaigning from behind bars.
He was not among those sentenced with Gambala.
Gambala denied they are seeking pardon as part
of a deal made with the authorities. The nine had earlier changed
their pleas from “not guilty” to “guilty,” raising
suspicions that they had forged a deal with the government in
exchange for a swift pardon.
“We have nothing to put on the table to make a
deal. We have not entered into a deal whatsoever,” he said.
Gambala added later, “To put it bluntly, we
are not in a position to make a deal because we have nothing to
offer. We are just convicts.”
The military leadership also maintained that
there was no deal made with the troops involved in the 2003
incident.
Earlier, Gen. Hemogenes Esperon Jr., the Armed
Forces chief of staff, said the military is open to pardoning the
nine convicted officers—but that decision is up to the their
commander in chief, President Arroyo.
Open to pardon
The President may pardon Gambala and company,
as long as they qualify for clemency, said Chief Presidential Legal
Counsel Sergio Apostol.
He said the apology of the Magdalo members may
be accepted by the government. “They pleaded guilty. They’re
properly sentenced, and that could be considered as factors for
immediate pardon. It’s not impossible.”
But the Magdalos’ case should be reviewed
thoroughly by the Bureau of Pardons and Parole, which will have to
determine their qualification for executive clemency, Apostol added.
“It appears that they are remorseful and that
could be considered. But let us see the review of the Bureau of
Pardons. What is important is that they apply first for a pardon,
and then we’ll see,” he said.
-- With Angelo S. Samonte and AFP
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