Magdalo group hails release of rebel soldiers

MANILA, Philippines - Rebel soldier group Magdalo Para sa Pagbabago welcomed yesterday the release of 10 of their companions tagged in the foiled Manila Peninsula siege in 2007 and vowed to remain as critics of the Arroyo administration.

Magdalo spokesman Ashley Acedillo said the group will also watch closely the policies of the next president particularly in addressing corruption and in reforming the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). “We will remain with the opposition. Regardless of who would be elected as the next president, we will continue to be vigilant. We will watch over the reforms to be implemented on the Armed Forces and on the country as a whole,” he said in a phone interview.

Acedillo said they are thankful to AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Delfin Bangit for immediately signing the release order of the 10 rebel soldiers. “We thank him (Bangit) for the speedy resolution of the case. Normally it takes months before release orders are signed. He was fair in handling the case,” he said. 

Two of the detained rebel soldiers – former Marine Capt. Gary Alejano and former Navy Lt. Senior Grade James Layug each posted P200,000 bail late last month. Acedillo said the eight others were expected to post bail yesterday. Also freed were former Capt. Dan Orfiano, former Lieutenants Senior Grade Andy Torrato, Manuel Cabochan and Eugene Gonzales, former Lieutenant Junior Grade Arturo Pascua, and former First Lieutenants Armand Pontejos, Billy Pascua, and Jonnel Sangalang.

Acedillo said the release of Alejano and Layug is timely as both are running for local posts. Alejano is running for mayor of Sipalay City in Negros Occidental while Layug is seeking a congressional seat in the second district of Taguig. Acedillo himself is running for a congressional seat in the first district of Cebu City.

Detained Senatorial bet Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim wished the 10 Magdalo members good luck and expressed hope that the upcoming polls would pave the way for the persecution of corrupt politicians. “While I am happy that several of my fellow detainees, men I hold in high esteem, walk free today, I still look forward to the day when the truly innocent are declared just that: Innocent,” Lim said in a statement. – With Rhodina Villanueva, Cecille Suerte Felipe