News update AFP expects other Magdalo fugitives to follow Faeldon’s example

After the surrender of fugitive Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon Tuesday afternoon, the Armed Forces of the Philippines expects other renegade soldiers in hiding will surface soon.

While there in no assurance of amnesty for those who will surrender, AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta on Thursday said the military organization will respect their rights.

"This will send signals to others who are fugitives, sa mga nagtatago (those still in hiding), to go out in the open. They will be given the necessary right as called for by our legal system. They will be given their own legal rights to face the charges filed against them," Mabanta said in an interview on dwIZ radio.

"We see that other fugitive officers will follow suit. Nakikita nila na the assumption of President Benigno Aquino III is legitimate and mataas ang mandate na ibinigay ng tao kay President Noy (We see other fugitive officers will follow suit because they are convinced that President Aquino's assumption to the presidency is legitimate and he has the mandate of the Filipino people)," Mabanta added.

He said the surrender of Faeldon, wanted for at least two attempts to overthrow the Arroyo administration, shows that he sees the new administration as "legitimate."

To all Magdalo members who are in hiding, Mabanta said: "Tuluy-tuloy ang pag-aakit natin for them to go back to the fold of the law (We will continue to convince them to go back to the fold of the law)."

Mabanta, however, did not say how many military officers and men belonging to the Magdalo have yet to turn themselves in.

Back to Marines

Before Faeldon's return to the Marine Corps, he had sent feelers to the AFP, Mabanta said.

For now, Faeldon will be in the custody of Marine commandant Maj. Gen. Juancho Sabban.

"Doon na muna siya for the time being (He will be in Sabban's custody for the time being)," he said.

On the other hand, Mabanta stressed it will be up to the military courts to decide on Faeldon's cases.

He also said there is no automatic amnesty for Faeldon, saying it will be up to Aquino as commander-in-chief.

"It is really up to the courts to examine and look at the pros and cons of his case. They will be deciding on the merits of these cases," he said. "It is up to the president to give amnesty to Capt. Faeldon."

No more coup threats

Mabanta said that with Faeldon's surrender, coup threats are already “a thing of the past" because "our soldiers and officers have learned their lessons."

He said the AFP has become "more professional" and will not support "sentiments" of "individual soldiers" to overthrow the government.

"There may be sentiments from individual soldiers but these are their own sentiments. These are not the sentiments of the majority of peace-loving and law-abiding soldiers of the AFP," he added.

On the other hand, Faeldon said he surfaced because the Arroyo administration, which he described as illegitimate, is over.

"Wala na 'yung pinaniniwalaan nating walang legitimacy na presidente. Wala nang reason para hindi ako lumabas (The term of the illegitimate administration is over, so I don't see any reason to continue hiding)," he said.

Faeldon's lawyer Trixie Cruz-Angeles said he surrendered because he believes Mr. Aquino is a legitimate president. "A duly elected president is now commander-in-chief and Captain Faeldon submits to that authority," Angeles said.

Faeldon is facing trial before civilian and military courts for allegedly participating in two attempts to overthrow the Arroyo administration, first the July 2003 Oakwood Mutiny and the November 2007 siege of Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City.

He escaped authorities at the height of the Manila Peninsula siege, where he, detained Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, former Scout Ranger chief Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, and 25 other soldiers walked out of their trial and marched through the streets of Makati City, called for the ousting of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and seized the second floor of the posh Manila Peninsula Hotel along Ayala Avenue.

Prior to that, he escaped from military custody in December 2005 after attending a court hearing, but was subsequently arrested by military intelligence agents a month later in Malabon in the company of military prosecutor Capt. Candelaria Rivas.

The government had offered a P1 million bounty for his arrest. — LBG/RSJ