5 soldiers in Oakwood mutiny discharged without honors

Five soldiers who were reportedly part of the group that tried to topple President Arroyo last year were ordered discharged from the service by the Philippine Army (PA) on Christmas Day.

Dismissed from the service without honors were Sgt. Orlando Valencia, Cpl. Walter Francisco, Cpl. Ramon Perania Jr., Cpl. Reynaldo Pacete and Pfc. Leon Ones Jr., all members of the Army’s elite First Scout Ranger Regiment.

The five enlisted men were among the 40 Army soldiers detained in Tanay without any charges for almost two years.

The soldiers were detained in connection with the failed Feb. 24, 2006 mutiny led by former Scout Rangers commander Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano signed the discharge order on Christmas Day.

The order was released only yesterday after Army insiders questioned the latest move by the military leadership, saying this was done without due process.

It was also Yano who approved the dismissal without honors of 26 other rebel soldiers detained at the Army’s Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal.

Yano, however, cleared nine other rebel soldiers following a recommendation by the Army Inspector General (IG).

Army spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres said the nine soldiers were reprimanded before they were ordered restored to full duty status and are at present assigned and attached to the Army’s Headquarters Support Command at Fort Bonifacio.

However, as part of their punishment, they  are barred from being promoted for a period of one year and are disqualified from military schooling.

They were also ordered to undergo civil-military operations training next year.

Two of the nine soldiers, instead of welcoming their reinstatement,  opted to avail themselves of the early retirement program.

Torres said until such time that their application for retirement is approved, the two soldiers are still considered active members of the Army.

The relatives of one of the dismissed soldiers lamented the order.

Arlene Pacete, elder sister of Cpl. Reynaldo Pacete expressed surprise after learning yesterday of her brother’s dismissal from the service.

A gold cross medal recepient, Pacete is a war hero who played a key role in the successful rescue of 28 kidnapped victims being held by the  Abu Sayyaf in Basilan in 2000.