While I am glad that Brig. Gen Lim is out and would be able to celebrate his birthday in his home on Wednesday, I’m sad that 15 other officers who are accused with him in the February 2006 non-event are still in detention. Of the 15, eight are Scout Rangers junior officers and one, a member of the Army Special Forces.
I’ll write more about this on Wednesday. Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV is the only one left in Camp Crame. True to his word to his fellow Magdalo officers and men that “I will be the last man out of here.”
Anyway, here’s the report by Malaya reporters Victor Reyes, Raymond Africa and Ashzel Hachero:
Former Scout Ranger chief Brig. Gen. Danilo was released from detention yesterday and turned over to the custody of Brig. Gen. Reynaldo Ordoñez, chief of the military’s Philippine Defense Reform office.
Lim’s release from the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame at 5:35 p.m. came after AFP chief Gen. Delfin Bangit allowed him provisional liberty.
Lim is considered a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1978 which includes Bangit and Ordoñez. He joined the PMA in 1973 but left a year after for the US Military Academy at West Point where he graduated in 1978.
Earlier yesterday, representatives of Lim posted P200,000 bail in the sala of Makati City Judge Elmo Alameda where Lim is facing a rebellion charge in connection the November 2007 standoff at the Manila Peninsula Hotel, a requirement for Bangit’s approval of Lim’s request for provisional liberty.
Lim was allowed by the Makati court to post bail as early February. He had refrained from posting bail until yesterday because the military would just take custody over him.
Lim is facing court martial proceedings for the alleged attempt to overthrow the Arroyo government in February 2006. He is accused of violating Articles of War 63 (disrespect to the President), 96 (conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman), 97 (conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline) and 70 (escape from confinement) in connection with Manila Peninsula standoff.
He is also facing a separate charge before another military tribunal for violation of AW67 (mutiny) in relation to the supposed plan to grab power in February 2006.
Before Bangit’s grant of the provisional release request, Lim accompanied by Ordoñez paid a call on Bangit at the AFP chief’s office in Camp Aguinaldo.
“That was where the turnover occurred,” said Lt. Col. Marcelo Arnulfo Burgos, chief of the AFP public affairs office.
A source privy to the meeting said the three discussed, among others, the plight of Lim’s co-accused who have been in detention since February 2006.
“The similarly-situated may be accorded the same (provisional liberty). That was among the discussions,” the officer said on condition of anonymity.
The source added said that there was also an arrangement prohibiting Lim from publicly making statements.
Lim was deemed separated from service when he filed his certificate of candidacy for senator last year. He lost, placing 17th in the senatorial race.
Last night, Lim visited incoming president Benigno Aquino III at his residence on Times Street in West Triangle, Quezon City. Lim was an adopted senatorial candidate of Aquino’s Liberal Party.
Burgos said Lim can return to his house. “He can even go out of his house. That is actually dependent on the terms and conditions with his custodian officer,” he said.
Burgos said Ordoñez will be held accountable if he fails to present Lim in court or Lim violates the conditions of his provisional liberty.
Burgos could not say when the last time an officer facing court martial was placed in the custody of a fellow officer.
Among Lim’s co-accused is Marines Col. Ariel Querubin who also ran for senator but lost.
Earlier in the afternoon, a staff at the sala of Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 159 Judge Elmo Alameda said Lim’s counsel, Vicente Verdadero posted the bail on behalf of his client Monday afternoon.
“Yes, Atty. Verdadero posted the bail of P200, 000 in cash at about 2:30 this afternoon,” a staff of Alameda said.
Reached on the phone, Lim said he was still at the Philippine National Custodial Center in Camp Crame adding that his lawyer is discussing the issue with the authorities.
Lim is currently detained at Camp Crame along with fellow detainee, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. They were both charged with rebellion for walking out of the hearing of the Oakwood coup d’etat at the Makati RTC (Lim was in court as witness) on Nov. 29, 2007 and marched to Manila Peninsula where they called for a withdrawal of support from Gloria Arroyo.
Unlike Lim, Trillanes is also facing coup d”etat charges before the sala of Makati RTC Branch 148 Judge Oscar Pimentel for the July 27, 2003 Oakwood Hotel mutiny.
Earlier, Alameda also allowed the Magdalo officers, former Marine 2nd Lt. Jonel Sangalang, former Navy Ensign Armand Pontejos, former Navy LTsgs Eugene Louie Gonzales and Arturo Pascua, James Layug, Marine Captain Gary Alejano, former Air Force Capt. Segundino Orfiano, Jr., 1Lt. Billy Pascua, Cpl. Clecarte Dahan, Pfc. Juanito Jilbury, Pfc. Emmanuel Tirador, Pfc. German Linde, Julius Mesa, Cesari Yasser Gonzales and Lt. Manuel Cabochan to post bail.
They were later released by the military from detention.
Wait, there’s more!: Buy her a gift this Valentines! or send her flowers!
In the bag: Frey Swiss Premium choco, Riesen Dark Chocolate Chewy Toffee, Werther’s Original Cream Candies and Ritter Sport mini in assorted flavors. Yum!
