Trillanes gets amnesty

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of National Defense (DND) has granted amnesty to former Navy officer Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, who was tagged in the 2003 Oakwood mutiny and the 2007 Manila Peninsula hotel siege.

Data from the ad hoc amnesty committee showed that Trillanes’ application was approved by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin last Jan. 21.

“There was no opposition to his (Trillanes) application for amnesty. Besides, his application papers are complete,” a member of the amnesty committee who requested anonymity said.

This was confirmed by DND spokesman Eduardo Batac who said that Gazmin approved the applications of rebel soldiers who applied last Jan. 4, 5, 6, and 7. Trillanes submitted his application last Jan. 5.

“The approval was done by batches,” Batac said.

DND data showed that 91 former rebel officers applied for amnesty from Jan. 4 to 7. Of this number, 38 are officers and 53 are enlisted personnel.

Batac said the 15-day period of opposition for their applications lapsed without any opposing party coming forward.

“The 15-day opposition period expired on a daily basis starting Jan. 19. Once it expires, the committee deliberates and forwards its recommendation to the SND (Secretary of National Defense) and the SND approves,” he said.

Successful applicants will be asked to take the oath of allegiance to the Constitution and the government. The first batch of applicants, including Trillanes, is scheduled to take their oaths today in Camp Aguinaldo.

Trillanes was a leader of the Magdalo, a group of soldiers who decried the supposed corruption in the Arroyo government.

Members of the Magdalo demanded the resignation of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during the Oakwood mutiny in July 2003.

Trillanes won a seat in the Senate under the Genuine Opposition ticket in the 2007 midterm elections. He, however, was not allowed to participate in sessions due to his pending coup case.

In November 2007, Trillanes and other rebel soldiers walked out of a court hearing in Makati to stage what is now called the Manila Peninsula siege.

Last month, Trillanes was released from detention at the Camp Crame Custodial Center after the Makati Regional Trial Court granted his petition for provisional freedom.

He was placed under the custody of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.

Proclamation 75, signed by President Aquino last month, granted amnesty to military personnel accused of trying to oust the Arroyo administration.

The amnesty covers more than 300 officers and enlisted men and would remove the criminal liability of successful applicants.

Those who joined the Oakwood mutiny, the 2006 Fort Bonifacio standoff and the Manila Peninsula siege are qualified to avail of the amnesty.

Enlisted personnel with the rank of technical sergeant and below would be entitled to a reinstatement.

The Senate and the House of Representatives separately concurred with the amnesty proclamation last December.

The amnesty committee will process applications until March.