11 officers involved in 2006 coup plot cleared

MANILA, Philippines - Eleven of the 28 Marine and Scout Ranger officers accused of plotting to topple the Arroyo government in 2006 were cleared and ordered release from detention by a military court hearing the mutiny case.

Among the 11 cleared officers were Marine Colonel Januario Caringal, Lieutenant Colonels Nestor Fleurdeliza and Ed Malabanjot, and Captains Ruben Ginulbay and Erik Sales of the Scout Rangers.

The officers are facing mutiny charges along with former Marine Commandant Major General Renato Miranda and former Scout Ranger chief Brigadier General Danilo Lim.

The military panel headed by Major General Jaggey Leo Fohas unanimously found meritorious the motion of the defense of finding not guilty the 11 officers.

The military tribunal is also slated to rule on the motion to dismiss that the defense filed before the military tribunal for the remaining 17 soldiers.

The trial judge advocate will be rendering its report to Armed Forces chief General Victor Ibrado for the immediate release of the 11 cleared officers who have been under military detention for more than two years.