Rebel general Danilo Lim released from jail

MANILA, Philippines - Rebel officer Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim was released yesterday from his cell in Camp Crame and was transferred under the custody of a “responsible military officer.”

In a statement last night, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said Lim will now be under the custody of Brig. Gen. Reynaldo Ordoñez, head of the Philippine Defense Reform Office.

This was in response to the request of Lim’s camp, who asked AFP chief Gen. Delfin Bangit to place him under the custody of an officer who will be responsible for his actions. This means that the rebel officer would be a free man pending the resolution of his cases. Bangit approved the request after Lim’s camp posted a bail bond before the Makati regional trial court, which has jurisdiction over his case.

“As the confining authority, the chief of staff may exercise discretionary authority to restrict or enlarge the confinement of an officer who has been arrested,” AFP Judge Advocate General Brig. Gen. Gilberto Roa said in a statement.

“Ordoñez will have the responsibility of keeping and having Lim in custody for future appearances in any of the hearings and proceedings,” he added.

Burgos said Ordoñez will be accountable if Lim escapes or does not show up at court hearings.

After leaving the Camp Crame Custodial Center, Lim met with Bangit privately in his office in Camp Aguinaldo. The media were not allowed to cover the meeting and were not granted interviews.

Lim, Bangit and Ordoñez all belong to the Philippine Military Academy Class ’78, which adopted President Arroyo as honorary member. Burgos, however, claimed that the decision is not related to Lim’s affiliation with the controversial class.

Lim was commander of the Philippine Army’s Scout Ranger regiment when he was jailed in February 2006 on charges of rebellion for leading a coup against the Arroyo administration.

In 2007, Lim and other rebel soldiers walked out of a Makati court hearing to stage the short-lived Manila Peninsula siege.

He has been charged with rebellion before the civilian court and various violations of the Articles of War before the military tribunal. These violations are mutiny, disrespect to the President, breach of arrest and confinement.

Lim ran as senator during the 2010 polls as an adopted candidate of the Liberal Party and the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino. He lost, landing in 17th place with more than six million votes. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Jaime Laude