Military coup leaders plead guilty to lesser charge

MANILA (AFP) - Twelve officers who led a failed 2003 mutiny against President Gloria Arroyo pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges relating to the coup attempt, reversing earlier pleas.

The 12 junior officers made the change after 54 other officers involved in the rebellion escaped the charge of mutiny, punishable by life imprisonment, under a plea-bargain deal that will see them walk free next year.

The 12 pleaded guilty to "conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline," said prosecutor Lieutenant-Colonel Feliciano Loi, adding that the military court had yet to sentence them.

The renegade soldiers took over a building housing businessmen and diplomats in Manila's financial district and demanded that Arroyo step down over corruption allegations. They surrendered after being given an ultimatum.

Around 184 soldiers who earlier entered a similar plea bargain were jailed for two years and will be reinstated in the military.

Another key defendant, Navy Lieutenant Antonio Trillanes, has won a seat in the senate in the May 14 midterm elections after campaigning from his prison cell. Trillanes has pleaded not guilty to the charges related to the Oakwood mutiny.

Loi, the military prosecutor, said the 12 officers who pleaded guilty Tuesday had probably realised that fighting the charges was futile.

"What will be the use of fighting when their sentence will be the same," Loi added.