Leader of original Makati siege now tries to help put out fire

CLARK FIELD, Pampanga — Fourteen years ago, Col. Danilo Lim walked the streets of Makati City with disaffection and misgivings about the administration of then President Corazon Aquino.

Along with many other young military officers, Lim participated in a coup d’ etat supposedly aimed at reforming the Armed Forces.

Yesterday, Lim, now commander of the 4th Scout Rangers based in Bulacan, found himself in the same place and in the same scenario. Only this time, he was on the other side of the fence.

Lim was among those who organized a group of young officers yesterday to help convince the mutineers led by Navy Lt. Antonio Trillanes, to give themselves up before the 5 p.m. deadline set by President Arroyo.

The STAR reached Lim by telephone at the Oakwood Premier Ayala Center in Makati which the mutineers had occupied.

Lim said everyone was "welcome to pitch in" to help bring the standoff to a peaceful end.

He said none of his troops in Bulacan joined the rebel forces.

"Scout Rangers who joined the group were from Mindanao," Lim added.

Lim said he was confident that negotiations would bring positive results, but also stressed that soldiers who participated in the mutiny would have to face court martial.

He said the President’s order to subject the mutineers to court martial is a "given" and "will stand."