By Ellen Tordesillas
March 27, 2009

At the court martial hearing of the 28 officers accused of mutiny for a February 2006 non-event last Feb. 26, it was agreed that the next hearing would be on March 10, 2009.

A day before March 10, the lawyers of the accused were notified that the hearing would be on March 20. No explanation was given why the agreed hearing on March 10 would not push through.

March 20 came and all the lawyers and the accused (except for two officers) were present at the Daza Park hall in Camp Aguinaldo. But there were only three members of the panel who would be hearing the case: Maj. Gen. Jogy Fojas, Commodore Ramon Punzalan and law member Col. Marian Aleido, when there should at least be four of them to constitute a quorum. One member was out of the country. Even the trial judge advocate could not explain the absence of the other members of the panel.

Atty. Vic Verdadero, counsel of Brig.Gen. Danny Lim and several other officers of the Scout Rangers, proposed to the court that they waive the quorum requirement so they can hold a hearing so as not to waste the time and effort of three witnesses who were present.

But the court played safe and decided that without a quorum, the hearing had to be adjourned. It was agreed that the next hearings would on March 24 and 26.

A day before March 24, the lawyers were notified that the hearing was cancelled. No explanation was given. Everybody looked forward to the Thursday hearing.

After that, nothing was heard from the Trial Judge Advocate that serves as the court’s secretariat. One lawyer, however, called the TJA Wednesday afternoon and was told that there would be no hearing the next day. No reason was given.

As of today, no hearing has been scheduled.

The right to speedy trial is a supreme human right that the Constitution mentioned twice in the Bill of Rights.Section 14, paragraph two, states that “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall be presumed innocent until the contrary is proved and shall enjoy the right…to have a speedy, impartial trial…

Section 16 underscores that right again: “All persons shall have the right to a speedy disposition of their cases before all judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative bodies.”

The dictionary defines speedy as “ accomplished rapidly and without delay”. The accused have been in detention for three years. They submitted themselves to military justice and they are ready to accept whatever is the decision. But undue delay is something difficult for them to take.

Col. Aleido reasoned out that the defense lawyers were also to blame that the trial of this case had gone this long with their motions during the early stage of the proceedings. The defense lawyers quickly took exception saying that it was the delay in giving the accused the copies of the Pre-Trial Investigation Report and the Pre-Trial Advice that delayed the proceedings.

It took the Trial Judge Advocate five months to give the defense the PTIR and another three months to give the unsigned copy of the PTA which were the basis of the charges against the officers. “Surely, we cannot proceed without our knowing what’s the basis of the charges against our clients,” Verdadero said.

Atty. Rogelio Bagabuyo, counsel for Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda, never tires of reminding the court that every day of delay in trial is a grave injustice to the accused officers.

Another Magdalo officer wants to join Trillanes in Senate

By Charlie C. Lagasca
Philstar.com
January 18, 2009

SOLANO, Philippines - It seems that another Magdalo soldier has been bitten by the political bug.

Detained Army Brigadier Gen. Danilo Lim is reportedly eyeing a seat in the Senate where his colleague, former Marine Lieutenant second grade Antonio Trillanes III, now sits as a senator despite also being under detention at Camp Crame’s custodial center.

Supporters here indicated that Lim, a native of this Ilocano and Gaddang-dominated booming town, is seriously considering running in next year’s election.

Lim, former head of the Army’s 1st Scout Ranger Regiment, and Trillanes are presently detained for their involvement in the Manila Peninsula incident in 2007 to topple the government.

Aside from a seat in the Senate, Lim, known to be charismatic here, is also eyeing the mayoralty post of this province’s premier town in next year’s national and local elections.

Talk of Lim’s political plans started when, besides posters and calendars, his streamers expressing congratulations to the town and barangay fiestas started to surface. Volunteers for Lim said they were also distributing leaflets and membership forms in support of Lim’s possible senatorial or mayoral bid.

DANNY LIM’S NEXT TARGET: NV MAYORSHIP

By Ted Boehnert
18 January 2009
The Daily Tribune

One of the 28 military officers detained in connection with the alleged February 2006 coup against the Arroyo administration is reportedly eyeing a local position in the coming 2010 election.

Supporters of Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim are floating his name as a possible candidate for mayor of Solano in Nueva Vizcaya province after calendars of the former commander of the elite First Scout Range Regiment and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, a former (Marine) Navy lieutenant and colleagues in the Magdalo group who is also detained for leading several coup attempts against the government, started circulating in the town.

Lim and Trillanes also led the Nov. 29 standoff at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in 2007,

According to Lim’s supporter, the general who comes from Solano has reportedly expressed serious interest in running for the mayorship.

Residents of the town affiliated or sympathetic with the Magdalo group said membership forms and other materials were being circulated as a sign of support for Lim’s candidacy.

Aside from being considered for the mayorship, Lim’s name was also being floated as a possible senatorial candidate.

Supporters, however, said that the local positions seems to be more of a priority to Lim.

High school batchmates of Lim, who was salutatorian of St. Louis School Batch 1972 in Nueva Vizcaya, responded positively to the information of his imminent possible candidacy.

Batch valedictorian Marilou Gilo-Abon, president of the Neuva Vizcaya State University, said her noted batchmate was “upright” and “a good friend.”

A graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and Westpoint Lim was born into a poor family in this town and head to work his way through high school until he entered the Academy, always staying at the top of his class.

By Ellen Tordesillas
November 29, 2008

Exactly one year ago, Filipinos were glued to their TV sets watching a few, brave military officers led BGen Danilo Lim and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV take a stand against the trampling by Gloria Arroyo of our Constitution and and our democratic institutions.

Following are links to articles on that day:

Media Hours, grit at the Manila Pen http://www.ellentordesillas.com/?p=1915

Photos of the Manila Pen siege

Manila Pen- not a case of rebellion or warrantless arrest

Media concerns in the Nov. 29 incident

Bibeth

Maria Ressa’s paper on the Manila Pen incident

NHK’s Charmaine Deogracias on the Manila Pen incident

Majority of the Filipinos believe Gloria Arroyo cheated in the 2004 elections. It’s a criminal act.

That “original sin” has spawned more crimes against the Filipino people: fertilizer scam, NBN/ZTE, Diwalwal/ZTE, Quedancor mess, etc. etc.

But why is Arroyo still in Malacañang”

Because we allow it.

Brig. Gen. Danny Lim’s quote on that day, rings louder today: “Dissent without action is consent.”


Tama na, kumilos na

Matindi ang kahulugan ng “Araw ng mga Bayani” ngayon dahil nakikita natin kung paano binabastos ni Gloria Arroyo at ng kanyang asawa at kanilang mga alagad ang saligang batas na nagbubuo ng diwa ng ating sambayanan.

Maraming buhay ang nabuwis para maitaguyod natin ang ating demokrasya at ito ay bastas-basta na lang niyuyurakan ni Arroyo para lamang patuloy isyang manaitli sa kanyang ninakaw na kapangyarihan.

Noong Huwebes, naglabas ng mensahe si Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim na ngayon ay nakakulong dahil nanindigan siya ng ilang beses laban sa mga katiwalian ni Arroyo. Tawag nga ni Lim kay Arroyo ay “pekeng presidente.”

Sabi ni Lim, “Ang kapayapaan, pagkaisa at pag-unlad ay hindi natin nakakampatan dahil and namumuno sa atin hindi lehitimo sa moralidad at sa legalidad. Siya ang pinakamalaking banta sa ating seguridad at pagkaka-isa.”

“Ang totoong lider ay simbolo ng pagkakaisa at nagpapatnubay sa atin sa oras ng kagipitan. Ang bogus na lider ay ugat ng pagaaway at kaguluhan.”

Marami sa ating kababayan ay sadlak sa kahirapan. Nabubuhay ang administrasyon ni Arroyo sa katas ng pagpa-alipin ng mga Pilipino sa ibang bayan. At ito ay pinagyayabang pa ni Arroyo.

Sa paggunita ng kabayanihan ng ating mga ninuno, sabi ni Lim, dapat nang kumilos ang sambayanang Pilipino para mabawi ang kanilang dignidad at patalsikin ang pekeng pangulo para maisulong ang kaunlaran na maari lamang makamtan kung ang lider ay nagpapahalaga ng katotohanan at hustisya.

“Ang panawagan ngayon ay hindi lamang para makinig kung di mag martsa,Panahon na para tayo’y magkapit-bisig at kumilos,” sabi ni Lim.

Kahapon ay isang taong anibersaryo ng insidente sa Manila Peninsula. Maala-ala natin na nagwalkout sa hearing ng Oakwood mutiny sina Lim , Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV at iba pang Magdalo na opisyal kabilang sina Capt. Nick Faeldon, Capt. Gary Alejano, LTSGs James Layug, Manuel Cabichan, Eugene Gonzales, Andy Torrato; LTJG Arturo Pascua, 1Lt Billy Pascua; 2LT Jonnel Sanggalang and Armand Pontejos.

Ilan lamang sila sa mga nagmartsa mula Makati City Hall hanggang sa Manila Pen kung saan ipinahayag nila ang kanilang paninindigan laban sa katiwalian ng administrasyong Arroyo.

Alam na natin ang nangyari. Nabitin sa ere ang mga magigiting na sundalo dahil ang hindi nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob ang karamihan sa atin. Kaya tuloy ang kurakutan sa kaban ng bayan at pagyurak sa ating Saligang Batas.

Pinakita nina Lim at Trillanes na handa silang magsakrispisyo para sa taumbayan. Hanggang ngayon nakakulong sila. Kayo?

Posted at www.ellentordesillas.com
November 10, 2008

I think Col. Feliciano Loy’s tantrum near the end of last Friday’s court martial hearing of the mutiny case against Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda and 27 other officers was more panic than anything else as reality dawned on him that what he has is a losing case.

“We believe that the prosecution has been trapped, We will have to withdraw from the pre-trial,” he said eliciting surprise, disgust, anger and amusement from the defense lawyers.

Col. Loy is the head of the prosecution team implementing the order of former AFP chief Hermogenes Esperon to have the 28 officers convicted for allegedly planning to withdraw support from Gloria Arroyo in February 2006 following the revelations in the “Hello Garci” tapes that she cheated in the 2004 elections.

The 28 officers including Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and two Medal of Valor awardees, Col. Ariel Querubin and Lt. Col. Custodio Parcon, were charged with mutiny despite the recommendation of the panel that investigated the February 2006 non-event to dismiss the charge of mutiny (violation of 67th Articles of War) “for lack of factual and legal basis.”

The officers were also charged with conduct unbecoming of an officer and gentleman (violation of AW 96) and conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline (AW 97) and disrespect towards the president (AW 63). But these minor charges were dropped when no arraignment was conducted after two years.

Last Friday was the third pre-trial hearing. At 3:30 p.m., Loy reported to the panel that both sides were through with stipulation of facts and the marking of evidence. He declared the end of pre-trial and for them to go to trial proper. He even made a snide remark for the officers who have been in detention for almost three years “to prepare for a long battle.”

Atty. Donald Diaz, counsel for Lt. Col. Parcon and Capt. Aurino, reminded the prosecution the agreement that no additional evidence would be presented or else there would be no end to the “fishing expedition” and that would defeat the purpose of the pre-trial. No objection was raised to that.

When the hearing resumed after a short break, Atty. Rogelio Bagabuyo, counsel for Maj. Gen. Miranda, said that in the interest of speedy trial, he is admitting “hypothetically that all the evidence presented by the prosecution are true.” He said he is filing a demurrer because the evidence presented “are not enough to convict the accused of mutiny beyond reasonable doubt.”

A demurrer is a pleading in effect that even if the facts as alleged by the opposite party are true, they do not sustain the contention based on them.

All the defense lawyers manifested the same pleading. Atty. Vic Verdadero, counsel for Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, said, “We shall not be using our evidence. We admit that the prosecution’s evidence is true and that they cannot sustain the charge of mutiny.”

The pre-trial investigation report on the Feb. 2006 incident defines mutiny as “concerted insubordination, or concerted opposition, defiance of, or resistance to, lawful military authority by two or more persons subject to such authority, with the intent to usurp, subvert, or override such authority or neutralize it for the time being.”

The pieces of evidence submitted by the prosecution consisted mainly of affidavits of officials who were at the “Gazebo,” a reception area in the residence of the AFP chief of staff in Camp Aguinaldo, the night of Feb. 23, 2006. At that time, it was the residence of the AFP chief Generoso Senga, who is now ambassador to Iran.

They were supposed to be discussing the restlessness of the young officers over the “Hello Garci” expose which validated what they knew that the military was used extensively to cheat in the 2004 elections in favor of Arroyo. There was talk about some officers planning to join the protest rally the next day, the 20th anniversary of the 1986 People Power. The meeting ended with Senga giving the order to “Go back to barracks” which everybody obeyed.

One of the affidavits in the prosecution’s arsenal is that of Esperon, who was then the chief of the Philippine Army.

Loy said the defense team was being “presumptuous” because they have not presented the witnesses themselves.

Atty. Teddy Rigoroso, counsel for Maj. Francisco Domingo Fernandez and Lt. Belinda Ferrer, said since the witnesses are not expected to say anything contrary to what is contained in their affidavits, they would just be wasting time because the defense would just agree to what the witness would say.

Loy asked the court to nullify what transpired in the three pre-trial hearings. That’s when the soft-spoken Bagabuyo, who was a former senior state prosecutor, turned testy. He told Loy that “it is never right for any one to say ‘Yes’ today and say ‘No’ the next day. That is never done.”

Atty. Trixie Angeles, counsel for Maj. Jason Aquino, asked the court to order Loy to “tell the truth” and show cause why he should not be cited for contempt for delaying the trial.

Atty. Gilbert Gallos, counsel for Col. Orlando de Leon, took exception to the allegation of Loy that the “prosecution has been trapped.” He said no one forced the prosecution to submit their evidence. All that the defense was doing was to admit their evidence. “I can’t understand where he is coming from.”

I think I understand. Loy’s statement betrays his own assessment of the weakness of their evidence. What if the court approves the defense’s demurrer? AFP Chief Alexander Yano, in contrast to Esperon who was known to exert pressure on the panel, has always said he will respect the decision of the court.

If the demurrer is approved, the accused officers would be released to go back to the service. Will Arroyo and Esperon allow truth to prevail?

The panel headed by Maj. Gen. Jogy Fojas denied Loy’s motion to nullify the pre-trial proceedings. He gave the defense seven days to submit their demurrer and another seven for the prosecution to comment. Next hearing is on Nov. 28, 2008.

By Victor Reyes
Malaya
November 06, 2008

THE defense panel in the court martial of 28 Army and Marine officers linked to the alleged attempt to overthrow the Arroyo government in 2004 yesterday renewed its bid for the military tribunal to dismiss the mutiny charges against the accused.

Vicente Verdadero, counsel for former Scout Ranger Regiment commander Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and several other accused, informed the court that he is filing a formal motion to demurrer. "It’s like a motion to dismiss," Verdadero told reporters. "The evidence cannot sustain the charge of mutiny."

Verdadero, however, declined to elaborate on the supposed weakness of the evidence of the prosecution headed by Col. Jose Feliciano Loy. "I do not want to telegraph my punches to Col. Loy."

Defense lawyers have filed similar motions to dismiss in the past but these were denied by the military tribunal, now presided over by Army Maj. Gen. Jogy Leon Fojas.

The military court started trying the accused officers in December 2006 for their alleged plan, subsequently thwarted, to march to the Edsa Shrine in February 2006, join the anti-government demonstrators there, and publicly withdraw their support from President Arroyo.

The defense yesterday continued marking its evidence with Rogelio Butch Bagabugo, lawyer of former Marine commandant Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda, one of the accused, offering the sworn statement of his client and 11 other officers, including then AFP deputy chief of staff for intelligence now AFP deputy chief Lt. Gen. Rodrigo Maclang.

Miranda’s evidence included the pre-trial investigation report that recommended the dropping of the case of mutiny against the accused for lack of merit. The recommendation was reversed by a pre-trial advice that was approved by then AFP chief Hermogenes Esperon.

The prosecution in turn presented its issues to the court, to wit: whether the court has jurisdiction over the accused officers; whether there was conspiracy; and whether the accused indeed committed mutiny.

The defense panel’s issues included whether there was conspiracy to commit mutiny, whether the prosecution evidence is enough to overcome the presumption of innocence of the accused; and whether the prosecution can convict the accused beyond reasonable doubt.

www.sundalo.bravehost.com
October 21, 2008

MUTINY CHARGES against more than half of the military officers involved in a 2006 plot to oust the government were recommended dropped for lack of evidence.

Military prosecutors told a court martial yesterday that they have recommended to military chief Gen. Alexander B. Yano the dropping of charges against 16 of the 28 military officers who tried to overthrow the Arroyo administration in February 2006.

Court martial proceedings are being held against the military officers headed by former Marine commander Ma. Gen. Renato P. Miranda and former Army Scout Ranger chief Brig. Gen. Danilo P. Lim.

Col. Feliciano Loy, head of the military prosecution panel, said the letter of recommendation to Mr. Yano "was returned without taking any action. It was neither denied nor approved."

He stopped short of disclosing the names of officials recommended for deletion from the charge list.

Mr. Yano has the authority to convene or dismiss court martial proceedings.

Trixie Angeles, lawyer for Maj. Jason Aquino, one of the accused, and collaborating counsel for Mr. Miranda, said the mutiny charges against all officials should be dismissed based on the prosecution’s admission of lack of evidence to pursue the charges.

Other defense lawyers also asked the court martial president, Maj. Gen. Jogy Leo Fojas, to direct Mr. Loy to furnish them a copy of the letter to Mr. Yano.

Mr. Loy, however, said the letter was a "personal communication between me and general Yano."

Col. Marian Aleido, a member of the court, said: "We could not grant the oral pleading to dismiss the case because we have not heard yet the evidence of the prosecution."

Mr. Loy said other evidences can be presented against the accused.

The 28 officers remain in detention pending the resolution of mutiny charges.

By Aries Rufo
abs-cbnNEWS.com
10/28/2008

Are Church leaders now ready to back attempts to oust the Arroyo government?

In its strongest position yet indicating that they are ready to give their blessings for what may be a drastic change in government, five bishops, led by Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Angel Lagdameo, condemned the unabated “top to bottom” corruption in government and asked the public to shake the status quo.

Lagdameo went as far as assuring the public that “liberators” may be just around the corner.

“In response to the global economic crisis and the pitiful state of our country, the time to rebuild our country economically, socially, politically, is now. The time to start radical reforms is now. The time for moral regeneration is now. The time to conquer complacency, cynicism and apathy to prove that we have matured from our political statements is now. The time to prepare a new government is now,” Lagdameo said in a forum organized by the CBCP.

Lagdameo added the public should not lose hope that changing the present system is futile. “In spite of the seemingly hopeless and negative prognosis, our liberation may yet serendipitously happen. We are dreaming, praying and hoping that our county may yet have the needed liberators.”

It is hoped that these “liberators,” Lagdameo said, “will in a courageous peaceful way effectively and uncompromisingly reform our country.”

Also present in the forum were Lingayen Archbishop Oscar Cruz, Bataan Bishop Socrates Villegas, Masbate Bishop Joel Baylon and Bishop Emeritus Jose Sorra. We learned that seven more bishops would have attended the forum but cancelled for some reasons.

Active involvement

Villegas urged the public “not to be passive” but engage “in active involvement” in effecting a change in governance. He noted that curbing corruption by only half of its present level would immensely benefit the country. “The problem is not population, the problem is rampant corruption,” Villegas said.

He said that the country would have been better prepared to deal with the ongoing global financial crisis if not for corruption.

Cruz said the country is now in a “precarious, dangerous and critical situation” because of massive corruption and directly blamed the “incumbent occupant” in Malacanang as the culprit.

In his statement, Lagdameo took to task the government’s claim that prosperity is now being felt by the masses pointing out that 20 million people will surely disagree with this, as shown by surveys. He said rampant poverty and hunger are directly related with rampant graft and corruption “which has invaded all public and private institutions.”

Endemic corruption

Lagdameo noted that corruption under the past few years of the Arroyo government up to present has become “endemic and systemic.”

He pointed to “overprized projects, multi-billion scams of various kinds, election manipulations, anomalous transactions, bribery of both high and low, unsolved murders of media practitioners” as the “faces and symptoms of corruption.”

He lamented that the country is now tagged as one of the most corrupt country in Asia, based on a survey conducted by Transparency International. “If we are not horrified, disgusted, exasperated and enraged by these realities, can we still we love our country?” Lagdameo said.

The bishops’ statements came on the heels of the arrival of former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-joc” Bolante from the US following futile efforts of seeking asylum there. Bolante, tagged as the main architect of the P728-million fertilizer scam, had claimed political persecution but US immigration junked his alibi.

Also providing backdrop was the current “euro” scandal in the Philippine National Police where four police officers, including one retired, are set to be charged with unauthorized release of intelligence funds, and the fresh impeachment initiatives against the President.

Church leaders have been criticized for just waiting in the sidelines and giving mixed signals on its verdict on the Arroyo administration. At the height of the wiretap scandal, where the President was caught on tape giving orders to disgraced poll commissioner Virgilio Garcillano during the canvassing of the results in the presidential elections, the CBCP sought for truth but withheld passing a guilty verdict. Lack of active Church support has been cited as one of the major dampeners on attempts to oust Arroyo.

By Romy Lim
07 July 2006
Malaya

BRIG. Gen. Danilo "Danny" Lim, relieved commander of the Philippine Army First Scout Ranger Regiment, really took his licks from the official comment made by the AFP on the video where he allegedly announced his withdrawal of support from the government. A very tragic fate, if not an outright maltreatment, from the institution that he has served so well.

by Victor Reyes

THE chief prosecutor in the court martial of 28 military officers implicated in the supposed plan to overthrow the Arroyo government in February 2006 yesterday said he has recommended to AFP chief Gen. Alexander Yano the dropping of the mutiny charges against almost half of the accused.

At the resumption of the trial against the officers, chief prosecutor Col. Jose Feliciano Loy however said Yano did not approve or deny the recommendation. He did not say when he made the recommendation or exactly how many officers he recommended for “nolle prosequi.”

“I made a lengthy communication to the convening authority (Yano). Had the convening authority approved it, the charges against half of the accused would have been withdrawn at this point. But the recommendation was returned without action,” said Loy.

Loy made the manifestation after the defense panel inquired about the status of the prosecution’s earlier pronouncements that it will request for a nolle prosequi (do not pursue), or the discontinuation of the trial against some of the accused.

Initially, Loy asked that his statement be kept off the record but the court wanted it reflected on the records for transparency. Loy’s revelation prompted the defense to ask the court to compel him to furnish the tribunal a copy of his recommendation.

Defense lawyer Trixie Angeles said the Loy recommendation proves that the prosecution has no case against at least 14 of the accused. He said these officers have been in detention for over two years and “one minute longer is one minute too much.”

In an apparent attempt to force the prosecution to name the officers recommended for nolle prosequi, lawyer Teddy Rigoroso said he is filing a motion to dismiss the case on behalf of his clients – Maj. Francisco Domingo Fernandez and Lt. Belinda Ferrer.

This got the ire of Loy who said that the defense should not be filing such motions because they were still in the pre-trial stage. He said such motions should be filed after the prosecution and the defense are through in the marking of their evidence.

Rigoroso then asked if Loy had any objection to his motion in fact and in law and in equity and in justice. Loy replied that he thinks the prosecution has sufficient evidence against his clients. Rigoroso said he will later file a written motion.

The court’s law member, Col. Marian Aleido, said the court cannot compel the prosecution to submit to the court a copy of the nolle prosequi recommendation, saying the matter is between the prosecution and the convening authority under the court martial procedure.

Yesterday, the prosecution marked additional evidence against the accused – affidavits of some officers, including that of Lt. Michael Cuarteros who was initially charged for involvement but was later dropped as a respondent; and the video of accused Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim shown on television while withdrawing support from President Arroyo.

The defense also submitted as evidence affidavits of Maj. Oriel Pangcog, a former Scout Ranger operations officer who was also a former accused in the case but was subsequently cleared; and that of Col. Ariel Querubin.

Querubin’s lawyer Rodrigo Artuz asked the court to summon former AFP chief now ambassador to Iran Generoso Senga, then AFP deputy chief of staff for intelligence now AFP deputy chief of staff Lt. Gen. Rodrigo Maclang and Querubin’s wife Maria Flor, as witnesses.

Lawyer Gilbert Gallos, counsel for accused Col. Orlando de Leon, tried to have a stipulation of facts with the prosecution, which denied most of the assertions, including Senga’s instruction to former Marine commandant Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda to meet with the Marine officers on the night of Feb. 23, 2006 after information reached him that the officers were planning to join protest actions; the award of a medal to De Leon by Miranda’s successor, now Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Nelson Allaga, for his role in the peaceful resolution of the Feb. 26 standoff at the Marine headquarters; and Miranda’s assurance to then Navy chief Vice Admiral Mateo Mayuga that no Marine officer will join the protest actions against President Arroyo.

Captions:

1. Scout Rangers including Brig. Gen. Danny Lim
2. Col. Ariel Querubin and Col. Nestor Flordeliza
3. Col. Januario Caringal
4. Col. Orlando de Leon
5. Col. Achilles Segumalian and Lt. Belinda Ferrer
6. Col. Armando Bañez

Mga Diskurso ni Doy
Friday, July 07, 2006

Kudeta, sedisyon, rebelyon, article of war o court martial ang ikakaso sa dating puno ng Scout Ranger na si Gen Danny Lim? Kung kudeta, may kalabuan dahil wala namang kudetang nangyari. Malayong-malayo ito (1987-89) sa mabangis na kudetang inilunsad nung kapanahunan ni Presidente Cory Aquino. Magkakatuwang na isinagawa ng RAM-SFP-YOU, kung saan, maraming napinsalang ari-arian, buhay, ari-arian at nasira ang umaarangkada na sanang kumpiansa ng namumuhunan sa bansa.

Kung sedition at rebelyon? Mukhang alanganin, sapagkat isa lamang “withdrawal of support” at hindi naman consumated ito o binalak pero hindi naipatupad, sa madali't sabi, naunsyami! Nasaan nga naman ang sedisyon at rebelyon dun? Ang totoo pa nga daw, si Danny Lim pa nga ang umawat sa mga maiinit na junior officers na i-assault na ang Malakanyang nuong nakaraang Pebrero,'06. Kaya't sa totoo lang, maari pa ngang magpasalamat ang Malakanyang kay Danny Lim. Ang sedisyon at rebelyon ay lubhang malayong-malayo sa patuloy na inilulunsad ng mga kaaway ng gubyerno, ang CPP at NPA.

Kung ibabase ang kaso sa Article of War at iko-”court martial” ang maramihang kasangkot dito at kapag itinuloy ang pagpaparusa sa mga miyembro ng militar na inaakusahan daw sa kudeta, posibleng mag-init na naman ang mga junior officers sa hanay ng militar at imbis na maistabilisa, mag-alburuto, lumala ang pagbaba ng morale (restiveness) ng mga sundalo at sumabog ang sitwasyon?

Ayon sa ibang nagmamasid, ang timing ng pagpapalabas ng “Danny Tape” sa publiko ay kduda-duda. Ayon kay Sen Biazon, sinadya at masinsinang pinagplanuhan ito ng ilang malapit na Heneral (AFP) ng Malakanyang (Gen. Esperon?) ang “Danny Tape” upang ilito at ibaling ang atensyon ng mamamayan sa umiinit na ikalawang impeachment complaint kay Ate Glo. Sinasabi ring na, isa itong pagsubuk (testing the water), pagtantya at pag-antabay sa posibleng magiging reaksyon ng ilang matataas at junior officers sa AFP.

Maaring magkaroon ng backlash ang nasabing pagsasapubliko (no win situation sa pig ng Malakanyang) ng Danny Tape. Kung masama, kung illegal at kung labag sa Konstitusyon ang “withdraw of support” ng grupo nila Gen Danny Lim, walang dudang masama at illegal din ang “withdrawal of support” ni Sec Gen Angelo Reyes nung 2001 Edsa revolution, ang kapanahun ng dating Presidenteng si Erap Estrada. Ang kaibhan nga lang, nabigo ang huli at nagwagi ang grupo ni Gen Angelo Reyes.

Sa totoo lang, mas magaang pa nga ang dating ng panawagan nil Gen Lim, kung ikukumpara sa kaso ni Gen Angelo Reyes nung panahon ni Erap, mga Kudeta ng RAM-SFP -YOU at ni Gringo Honasan nung kapanahon ni Tita Cory.

Ano ang ipinapakita ng Danny Video? Nakakatulong ba ito sa Malakanyan o nakakasira sa katatagan ng gubyerno? Pinatutunayan lamang na totoo ngang may alingasngas sa hanay ng AFP, totoong watak-watak na ang hanay ng militar, kabalintunaang sa sinasabi ng chief of staff Gen Senga,ni Gen Esperonng AFP na solid, nasa panig ng Konstitusyon, may propesyunalismo at susuporta ang lahat sa ilalim ng pamumuno ng commander in chief.

Pinapakita lamang na may namumuong restiveeness sa hanay ng AFP, lalo na sa hanay ng Junior officers. Ipinapakita lamang na ang Danny Tape na “ganun na nga kalaki, kalawak at kasolido ang restiveness sa loob ng AFP.

Doy cinco/ipd
July7, 2006

By Fe Zamora
Inquirer
March 5, 2006

AS he lay dying in January last year, retired Commodore Domingo Calajate kept asking for Capt. Danilo Lim. When Lim finally showed up at the Cardinal Santos Hospital, the nurses heaved a sigh of relief and ushered him into a room.

“How can I refuse a dying man’s wish?” Lim would tell the Inquirer in May at the Club Filipino, where he was given a testimonial dinner for his promotion as brigadier general, and as chair of the Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabansa (RAM), which was Calajate’s dying wish.

In his speech, Lim dispelled doubts about possible conflict of interest that may arise from his positions in the Armed Forces of the Philippines and in RAM, which, despite a peace pact with the government, continues to be linked to destabilization plots. Lim emphasized that under his helm, RAM would become a civic group, even a cooperative for the welfare of retired and active military men.

Calajate’s final request highlighted his trust and confidence in Lim over the more senior former Sen. Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan, who co-founded RAM, then known as Reform the Armed Forces Movement, in 1985. Honasan tried to wrest control of RAM by declaring himself chair of the steering committee. But majority of RAM’s some 4,000 membership agreed to honor Calajate’s choice.

Former rebel soldiers from RAM, Young Officers Union and the Soldiers of the Filipino People (SFP) speak highly of Lim’s role in the peace negotiations in 1993, which resulted in amnesty in 1995. Except for those who opted to retire with full benefits, the mutinous troops, including those convicted for the 1987 violent attack on Camp Aguinaldo, were reinstated and given back pay for years spent in the military stockade.

No work no pay

Lim, the defiant Army captain who led the march of fully armed Rangers back to Fort Bonifacio after a failed coup in December 1989, waived his back pay, invoking his personal creed of “no work, no pay.” But he would not impose his belief on others. That was one of the reasons he negotiated the back pay.

Close friends said that was typical Danny, whose military career had been described by his wife, Aloysia Tiongson-Lim, as an exhilarating “roller-coaster ride.”

“Danny’s military career can be described as a roller-coaster ride mainly due to his principles, advocacy and fight for ideals in the military organization and good governance for the country,” she wrote in the class roster.

West Point

A 1978 graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point and member of the same batch at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), Lim’s military career began as platoon leader of the all-Igorot Forward Recon Unit based in Jolo, a unique group organized and led by another controversial officer, then Lt. Ricardo “Dick” Morales.

But Lim’s career took a nosedive when rebel soldiers led by him occupied the Makati commercial district from Dec. 1 to 7, 1989 in an attempt to unseat President Corazon Aquino.

The Scout Rangers occupied Makati after other rebel attempts to seize military installations had failed, including the rebel Marines who rammed Gate 1 of Camp Aguinaldo with a Landing Vehicle Tracked (LVT), leaving more than a dozen soldiers dead and wounded.

... Ariel Querubin’s escape

Among the ‘cadavers’ was the team leader—then Capt. Ariel Querubin. Querubin was bleeding profusely from wounds in the stomach. A doctor who checked the cadavers for identification, however, noticed a slight twitch on his finger.

Querubin was nursed back to life at the V. Luna Hospital where he would escape months later with the help of the doctor. Years after the incident, Querubin would tell the Inquirer that his getaway vehicle was driven by a businessman.

Wanted

He joined the underground rebel group when the military issued “wanted posters” with rewards for him and three other Marines who were branded “mad bombers and terrorists.” Then AFP chief of staff Gen. Renato de Villa even described Querubin as “psychotic.”

By that time, however, Querubin’s exploits at Gate 1 had already formed part of combat stories that soldiers love to talk about among themselves.

Even his classmates expressed awe at his exploits, but in typical PMA banter. “Whenever we hear rumors of a coup, we always ask, ‘On which side is Ariel?’ We don’t want to be on his side because he would surely survive, and we won’t,” a colonel from PMA Class 1979 said with a laugh.

Truancy

Even at the PMA, Querubin already led a charmed life, according to another classmate. Querubin was originally a member of class 1977, but was “turned back” twice for various infractions of PMA regulations, such as drinking alcohol, breaking curfew and even plain truancy. “But never on academic deficiencies,” Querubin once told the Inquirer.

That Lim and Querubin would find themselves on the same side during the 1989 coup was something that colleagues did not find surprising. But their amnesty and subsequent promotion were resented by officers who fought them during the coup. One officer said promoting Lim would send the wrong signal to younger officers that in the military “one can get away with murder.”

The rebellious past of Querubin was also the subject of discussion by the board that decided to award him the Medal of Valor. A source, who was privy to the discussion, said the issue also hinged on the “wrong signal” that could arise from giving the most prestigious medal to a former rebel.

That they would become “suspects” in fresh plots to unseat a President also did not surprise a police senior superintendent, who is close to both Lim and Querubin.

“They are not corrupt. They are both idealists and they have their own tales of heroism that would inspire soldiers to follow them,” the source, a 1978 PMA graduate who is involved in monitoring suspected coup plotters, told the Inquirer.

By Nikko Dizon
Philippine Daily Inquirer
04/27/2008

MANILA, Philippines—For Darryl Mobley, one of America’s popular life coaches, his first trip to the Philippines turned out to be more than just for a speaking engagement for a top multinational corporation.

It led to a reunion with a classmate he had not seen in three decades—a friend who, unbeknownst to him, had been tagged an enemy by the government.

When Mobley saw Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim at the latter’s court-martial hearing early this month, memories of the years they spent together at the US Military Academy at West Point came flooding back.

“We recognized each other right away. Danny had the same smile, the same kind of intensity. He was always kind of intense but he would crack jokes,” Mobley told the Inquirer in a recent interview at the Peninsula Manila hotel, where he was billeted for a week-long stay for his “work life balance” lectures for Procter & Gamble employees.

Ironically, it was this same Makati hotel that Lim, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and their supporters had taken over for six hours before police crashed an armored personnel carrier into the front entrance and lobbed tear gas into the foyer in November last year.

Mobley, who left the US Army nine years ago, said he told their West Point classmates that he would update them on “everything that has happened to Danny,” the only Filipino in the Class of 1978, during their four-day 30th reunion celebration that ends today.

Lim, who also received the invitation sent to every ’78 alumnus, would not be attending the homecoming—for obvious reasons.

Meeting each other after so many years, Mobley and Lim lost no time catching up during a break in the hearing at Camp Aguinaldo.

Mobley rang up some of their West Point classmates, waking them up at 3 a.m. in the United States, just so they could say “Hello” to Lim. He also called up his wife in Texas and introduced her to Lim and Lim’s wife.

Two days later, after being given permission by Lim’s military and police custodians, Mobley visited him at the Camp Crame custodial center where the Army general has been detained with Trillanes and the Magdalo leaders since the Nov. 29 Peninsula Manila siege.

But at least for a few hours, the two friends had their own reunion—albeit under heavy guard and within the confines of a detention compound.

Had it not been for his Procter & Gamble speaking engagement, Mobley said he would not have been able to see Lim.

“I thought it was fate that sent me here,” he said, adding that he asked Lim’s wife, Aloy, and their 17-year-old daughter to regularly update him about his friend.

For Mobley, 50, seeing Lim incarcerated—tried by a military tribunal for leading a mutiny and charged in a criminal court for rebellion—was unbelievable.

“Danny is not a rebel. Danny is an idealist in a world that is not so ideal ... Rebels oftentimes exist for their own purpose,” he said.

Lim had been involved in the 1989 coup, the bloodiest uprising against then President Corazon Aquino, the failed February 2006 alleged power grab, and the Nov. 29 walkout from the Magdalo hearing that led to the Peninsula siege.

In the last two incidents, Lim was one with other military officers in denouncing the alleged massive corruption in the government, as well as the purported cheating in the May 2004 elections, supposedly with the help of some military generals, to favor Ms Arroyo.

But even with Lim’s supposed rebellious nature, he served the Armed Forces well after being granted amnesty which expunged his participation in the 1989 coup.

He became the commander of the First Scout Ranger Regiment (FSRR), an elite fighting force of the Armed Forces, and the youngest officer to be given star rank.

As early as then, there was talk among the troops that Lim would become Army chief, and eventually, AFP chief of staff.

Mobley, for his part, is known as the “black Dr. Phil” and the “male Oprah,” having made a name for himself for being an “expert on how to make a life worth living.”

He is a marketing consultant, an excellent motivational speaker, and the force behind Family Digest Magazine, the leading family and relationships publication for black Americans.

Mobley lost contact with Lim soon after graduation as the latter returned to the Philippines to serve in the Army.

It was only when Mobley was in South Korea en route to Manila for a speaking engagement that he decided to “google” Lim.

“While in Korea, I ‘googled’ his name, figured I’d look him up and say ‘Hi.’ And the first thing I see is an article about him being in trouble. I said, ‘Whaat?’” Mobley narrated.

During his talk at Procter & Gamble, he told his audience that his friend “Danny Lim” was in trouble. “I said if anybody sees him, please tell him that I hope he’s OK ... I don’t know what happened, but the Danny that I know would not try to hurt people.”

That night, he received a call from Vicente Verdadero, Lim’s lawyer.

Verdadero’s daughter, a Procter & Gamble employee, had been in the audience when Mobley spoke about Lim.

“It was providential,” Verdadero said. Lim, he added, was ecstatic when he learned that Mobley was in the country and they would have a chance to meet.

Verdadero said Lim became misty-eyed when he and Mobley met for the first time at the court-martial hearing.

The lawyer said it was the first time he saw the general like this in all the years they have known each other.

“People will be very surprised that Danny would be behind bars anywhere because this Danny... was always one who’d do what is right. That’s his deal,” Mobley said. “Danny’s always going to step up and be heard when the situation calls for it.”

Mobley and Lim became friends in their late teens, as West Point cadets trying to hurdle the grueling and challenging training to become Army officers.

He said they became “quite close,” especially after taking a summer training class together. They took the same engineering and math classes, boxed, wrestled, parachuted, played cards and traveled together.

“I knew him quite well,” Mobley said, noting that Lim was the first Filipino he ever met.

The cadet from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) who earned a slot at West Point spoke passionately about his country.

“I knew then that he loved the Philippines. He made me want to come to the Philippines because he spoke about it so much,” Mobley said.

At West Point, Mobley and Lim “took very seriously” the honor code: “A cadet would not lie, cheat and steal, and he won’t tolerate those who do.”

Mobley said that while observing his friend’s court-martial, he was a bit confused about the charges.

He was going to be “delicate,” Mobley said, in talking about his observations, admitting that he was not too familiar with the goings-on in the Philippines and the intricacies of its politics.

He said it was sad to see his friend Lim incarcerated, “the exact same Danny who loves the Philippines and wants it to be a better place for everyone.”

Lim has been consistent in saying he sacrificed his own career not because he wanted power, but because he wanted to see genuine reforms in the Armed Forces and in the country as a whole.

As a motivational speaker, Mobley said he would tell his friend that “change is necessary for people, institutions, even as a process to improve.”

“A seed must crack its shell to grow. A tree, every year, must change leaves. The waves change. Seasons change. The critical thing—when you are dealing with people—is how to create change such that you get to the end point in a way that is consistent with your values,” he said. “If you lead, the power of your ideas should lead people to a better place.”

Lim remains motivated, according to Mobley.

“You can tell he is not broken. One of my models is ‘We don’t give up, we don’t give in, we never quit. And I told him, Danny, don’t give up, don’t give in and don’t quit,’” he said, adding: “But that doesn’t mean you don’t step back and look at the situation. But keep the spirit and do what you have to do.”

“I just want him safe,” Mobley said of Lim as he prepared to go back to the United States. “He’s my friend. I just want him safe.”

By VICTOR REYES
MALAYA
14 MAY 2008

KEY leaders of the alleged power grab attempt in February 2006 yesterday said they are not going to ask for pardon from President Arroyo.

"I cannot see that we will reach that point. I know we are not guilty. If you ask for pardon, you must first accept your guilt," said former Marines commandant Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda at the sidelines of court martial proceedings against him and 27 other Marines and Army officers.

Arroyo on Monday announced she has approved the military’s recommendation for the grant of pardon to nine officers involved in the 2003 Oakwood mutiny. Captains Gerardo Gambala and Milo Maestrecampo and the seven other officers pleaded guilty to the coup d’état case filed against them before a Makati court.

Miranda, referring to the standoff at the Marines headquarters on Feb. 26, 2006, said, "If you are talking of the Sunday standoff, it’s not a coup, it’s about me, it’s about my relief."

The standoff came two days after the alleged power grab attempt to be led by Miranda and Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, former Scout Ranger commander, who would supposedly lead their men to a march to Edsa and air their withdrawal of support from President Arroyo.

The standoff, triggered by Miranda’s relief as Marines commandant, saw the massing of officers and men in front of the headquarters.

"If you can review what happened during the Sunday standoff, it is about the grievances, about how come you treated the commandant that way. Personally, I was very thankful, I was surprised how the men loved the (Marine) leadership," he said.

Miranda said he was "happy, at least" for the pardoned mutineers. "As to the manner it was done, I’m not privy to it," he said.

Lim, asked if they were going to ask for pardon, said: "They (nine officers) made their bed, they sleep on it."

Marine Col. Ariel Querubin said: "I won’t receive any pardon from this administration. I won’t apply... I’ll be cleared."

It was Querubin who called for support for their protest over Miranda’s relief during the standoff.

Miranda, Lim, Querubin and the other accused are facing a number of offenses before a general court martial. The charges include mutiny, conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman, and conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline.

Marine Lt. Col. Achilles Segumalian said they are not going to accept pardon. "Nothing is to be pardoned. We are good and professional soldiers."

Segumalian, who also figured in the standoff, said his group would pardon former AFP chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. if he showed remorse.

Esperon, who relinquished his post to Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano Monday, has said he recommended pardon for the nine mutineers because they have shown remorse.

The group is blaming Esperon for the "prostitution" of the military brought about by his involvement in the alleged cheating in the 2004 presidential elections.

Segumalian said Esperon "should be going to the Comelec (Commission on Elections)."

Asked why, he said: "Do you have to ask that question? He is good at that," he said, referring to the alleged cheating.

Querubin said Yano is better than Esperon.

"At least General Yano has no baggage. He comes clean unlike the other (Esperon)... I think he’ll make good as chief of staff."

Lim said they feel safer with Yano at the helm of the AFP.

"Definitely. Compared to the former chief of staff, most definitely," he said.

Yano vowed he is not going to meddle in the court martial proceedings.

Miranda’s group has accused Esperon of meddling in the affairs of the military tribunal.

"Let me assure that as the new chief of staff, I will respect and recognize the independence of the court. That I will say because even if I am the chief of staff, there is a separate court martial headed by their president and it’s not apt for me to intervene with the results and proceedings of the court martial. I respect the independence of the court," he said.

By Ellen Tordesillas
September 20, 2008




www.ellentordesillas.com

Last Saturday, as Bicolanos celebrated the feast of the Virgin of Peñafrancia something stirred the curiosity of those who joined the “traslacion”, the procession transferring Ina, as they call image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia , from the basilica to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Naga City.

Around the city, there were several streamers that proclaimed “Viva la Virgen de Peñafrancia”. Below was the name and photo of Brig. Gen. Danny Lim, who is now in detention for allegedly planning to withdraw support from Gloria Arroyo in February 2006 following the expose of the Hello Garci tapes and in November 2007 following more scandals the most bewildering of which is the NBN/ZTE deal.

There were several reactions to the poster ranging from “What’s his plan?” to “Is he running for senator?” to “Guapo pala si Gen. Lim?”

I asked a friend of Gen. Lim and he said “Danny is a devotee of the Virgin of Peñafrancia. When Danny was a battalion commander in Camarines Sur, he often visited “Ina” at the basilica and always joined the traslacion incognito.”

Another sent me this info: “BGen Danny Lim commanded the 42nd Infantry Battalion, PA based in Bicol Region in 2000/2001. His area of responsibility covered the whole province of Camarines Sur and parts of Albay. He is well-loved and highly respected there and has many friends especially in Naga City.”

I posted a picture of one of the streamers in my blog and here are some of the reactions:

Parasabayan: “Sobrang aga naman yata ng posters ni Gen Lim! Although his candidacy would be a welcome thing. The only thing is, we do not know yet if there will be a 2010 elections. Mukhang ayaw pang umalis ni evil bitch sa Malacañang.”

Kabute sees no political color: “I think BGen. Lim is not campaigning. More likely he just wants to greet the Bicolanos whom he served during his stint there. Penafrancia celebration ngayon sa Naga City. A lot of devotees of the Virgin of Penafrancia or lovingly called INA (Mother) go there for a week-long celebration of the Feast of the Virgin of Peñafrancia. The celebration lasts from Sept. 12 to 19. Happy fiesta to all Bicolanos!”

Myrna, a Bicolana. doesn’t really mind: “That streamer of Gen. Lim is a welcome sight, and most appropriate, especially from someone who has endeared himself to the Bicolanos. Kung mukha man lang ni Gloria at ng kanyang alipores, huwag na lang. Baka masira pa ang fiesta atmosphere sa Naga.”

Jojovelas: “I read in an article by former Sen. Maceda in Tribune that Gen. Lim could be opposition senatorial bet.”

Chi: “Kahit presidente pa, uuwi ako sa Pinas and physically will campaign for my favorite General Danny Lim! Sori Ping, I think it’s not too early for the people to know that Gen. Lim will run for Senator, if true. Although, I see the streamer as just a ‘thank you’ from the Bicolanos who love the General.”

SumpPit: “I would prefer that B/Gen. Lim run, not just for the Senate (AT4 , Trillanes, has done that already), but as vice-president to Ping Lacson. Being a commanding general of the AFP’s elite force takes not just a bag of courage but a truckload of wits and management skills. Uncompromising loyalty to the flag, burning idealism, and resoluteness to the cause - they both have it. They believe in it.”

But not everybody agrees.

Dina Pinoy says: “Pinoy nga naman ok lang kahit wala sa lugar at sobrang aga basta bata nila ang gagawa. Kung si Bakekang sa malakanyang at ang mga alipores niya ang gagawa niyan, sigurado alburoto na naman ang Pinoy.”

Al has some apprehensions: “Another military man in the Senate? Aren’t you worried that even our legislature is being militarized?

Aren’t there competent and honest people in the civilian sector?”

***

Here’s something I got in the internet on the feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia:

“On the first day, the image of the Virgin, a copy of the Madonna in Peñafrancia, Spain, is brought from its shrine to the Naga Cathedral where the novena is held. On the last day, the image is returned to her shrine following the Naga River route. The colorful evening procession is lit by thousands of candles from followers in boats escorting the image. When the flatboat reaches its destination, the devotees shout “Viva la Virgen” (Long live the Virgin!) and the image is carried back in a procession to the cathedral.

“History has it that a Spanish government official from Peñafrancia, Spain settled with his family in Cavite in 1712. One day, a son, Miguel Robles de Covarrubias, a seminarian studying at the Universidad de Santo Tomas got very ill. He and his family prayed to Our Lady of Peñafrancia, whose picture he was clutching to his breast. He made a vow that if cured, he would construct a chapel by the bank of Pasig river in Manila. Miraculously cured, he eventually was ordained a priest not in Manila but in the Ciudad de Nueva Caceres (now known as Naga City).

“In fulfillment of his vow, Padre Miguel mobilized the natives along the slopes of Mt. Isarog to construct a chapel made of local materials, nipa and bamboo this time by the bank of the Bikol river in Naga and ordered a local artisan to carve an image patterned after the picture of Our Lady which is known to have blessed some faithful with miracles.”

By Philippine News Online

MANILA, February 25, 2006 (STAR) (AFP) Brigadier General Danilo Lim, arrested Friday for his alleged role in a plot to unseat President Gloria Arroyo, was considered a highly respected army officer despite his record of involvement in past mutinies.

A 1978 graduate of the West Point military academy in the United States, he led the elite Scout Rangers, who were at the frontlines of campaigns against communist guerrillas and Muslim separatists.

Military chief General Generoso Senga said Friday he had taken Lim into custody after the regiment commander had revealed to him his desire to lead some men against Arroyo.

"A case will be filed against him based on the investigation that will be conducted," said Senga, who stated he had convinced Lim not to go ahead with his plan.

Political commentator Julius Fortuna, writing in the Manila Times last year, described Lim as "respected in military circles for his idealism, integrity, expertise and bravery."

But Lim was also know for his prior involvement in military coups.

On the night of November 30, 1989, Lim, who was a captain along with then major Abraham Purugganan and colonel Rafael Galvez, led the Young Officers Movement (YOU), a covert military fraternity, in a nine-day siege of the Makati business district.

This was part of a coup attempt by rightist military forces against the government of Corazon Aquino, who was installed after the fall of the dictator Ferdinand Marcos on February 25, 1986.

Ninety-one people were killed and 570 wounded during the 1989 coup, the bloodiest of the four failed mutinies against Aquino.

Almost 3,000 officers and men were involved in that coup attempt which would have succeeded if not for the intervention of the US airforce which was then still based at Clark Air Base north of Manila.

American jets buzzed the city and Lim and his troops stood down with many later being jailed. The coup was quashed but the economic fallout lasted for years.

As part of his effort to achieve political stability, Aquino's successor, former military chief Fidel Ramos, signed a peace agreement with the military coup plotters and granted them amnesty.

Over a hundred of these officers were reinstated in the military and some like Lim later received promotions.

Last year he was brought in by Arroyo to play a leading role in the armed forces after the YOU issued a statement that it was being revived to counter the alleged corruption of the government.

Lim obliged, saw the grumbling officers and then later declared that the YOU was no more.

However sources close to the opposition say that Lim had also been forging ties with other anti-Arroyo figures who are seeking the president's ouster for alleged election fraud and corruption.

Government officials Friday said the alleged new plot involved military officers like Lim using rallies marking the 20th anniversary of the 1986 "People Power" revolution to publicly withdraw support for Arroyo.

EDITORIAL

DECEMBER 7, 1989



Credit must go, first, to the officials of the Department of Tourism who initiated and planned the operation and opened talks with the mutineers for a truce during which the foreigners were moved away from the battle zone. Together with the management of the affected hotels, and officials of the embassies concerned, the DOT sought a way out of a potentially bloody impasse, sparing many innocent lives.

By Glenda Gloria
Newsbreak

They are so alike in many ways. They belong to elite fighting units in the Armed Forces, their men look up to them, and they have scars to show-physical and psychological-for the cause they once fought for as leaders of the Young Officers Union. They're very good friends as well.

When Lim and Querubin led the December 1989 coup that came close to toppling the Aquino government, both were 33. Now 50 years old, they've come full circle, yet again mired in a rebellion that many thought they had shaken off from their system.

Government bullets pierced through Querubin's chest in his daring attack on Camp Aguinaldo on the first day of the failed 1989 coup. He survived, won an amnesty in 1995 under the Ramos administration, and went back to the Marines, embraced by the organization that he rebelled against. In 2000, he led his battalion in a ferocious fight against Muslim rebels in Lanao, for which he was awarded the coveted Medal of Valor.

Lim was not wounded in the 1989 coup, but had to carry the burden of leading his fellow Scout Rangers back to barracks after they gave up on their siege of Makati's financial district. His career took a backseat after, but he came back with a vengeance after the 1995 amnesty, returning to the Scout Rangers and getting his first star in 2003-the youngest general to be named and one who jumped over many heads in the hierarchy.

It was President Arroyo who gave Lim his first star-a move that critics say was the President's way of rewarding her "adopted" classmate in the Philippine Military Academy (1978). Lim belongs to Class 1978 because he spent his first year at the PMA with them before going to West Point. Querubin is likewise associated with Class 1978 because he spent years with them, too, before he was turned back and was made to graduate with Class 1979.

Ironically, Lim's career was resurrected under the Estrada administration when he was appointed to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) under then DILG Undersecretary Narciso Santiago, husband of Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago. After Estrada's ouster, Lim went back to the Army and shortly before the 2003 Oakwood mutiny was appointed commander of the First Scout Ranger Regiment.

On the other hand, Querubin spent most of his post-1989 years fighting Muslim guerrillas in the South. He was the deputy of then Brig. Gen. Renato Miranda when the latter was brigade commander in Basilan in 2002. Miranda was commandant of the Marines until his relief last February 26.

Before his brigade assignment in Marawi, Querubin headed the training center of the Marines based in Fort Bonifacio. It was in Fort Bonifacio where Querubin got wind of the complaints of young Marine officers about the conduct of the 2004 presidential elections. One officer who complained bitterly to him was his former deputy in Lanao: Lt. Col. Alexander Balutan, who would later testify with retired Brig. Gen. Francisco Gudani about alleged anomalies in the 2004 polls.

Lim was caught in a similar situation. His operations officer at the Rangers, Maj. Jason Aquino, was relieved last year for distributing leaflets that called for a new political system. Aquino was sacked from the Rangers amid speculations that Lim was either to be transferred to another post or sent abroad.

Asked about this, Lim told NEWSBREAK then in a text message: "If they transfer me this time, I'm going to retire."

They didn't-and he went on to lead yet another failed coup.