OAKWOOD MUTINY

The 'Oakwood mutiny' was an alleged mutiny that occurred in the Philippines on July 27, 2003. A group of 321 armed soldiers who called themselves "''Bagong Katipuneros''"^[1] led by Army Capt. Gerardo Gambala and Lt. Antonio Trillanes IV of the Philippine Navy took over the Oakwood Premier Ayala Center serviced apartment tower in Makati City to show the Filipino people the alleged corruption of the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration. They also stated that they saw signs suggesting that the President was going to declare martial law.
The group was dubbed "''Magdalo''" by the press, in a reference to the insignia they adopted during the incident—the perceived flag of the ''Magdalo'' faction of the Katipunan during the Philippine Revolution. It must be noted, however, that sources conflict on whether the eight-rayed-sun version of the flag was used by the ''Magdalo'' faction, the sixteen-rayed-sun version of the flag was used by the ''Magdiwang'' faction, or vice-versa.^[2]

Contents

Outcome

Guilty plea

Refusal to plea bargain

See also

External links

References

Outcome

The flag that the "''Magdalo''" soldiers used during the July 27 "Oakwood Siege" in Makati City, Philippines. Other sources declare that this flag is actually that of the ''Magdiwang'' faction.^[3]

The bloodless mutiny ended unsuccessfully within 18 hours when the soldiers failed to rally support from the public or the armed forces. All soldiers involved surrendered peacefully and were charged in a general court martial.
More than a year after the mutiny, its leaders apologized to the President for the failed military rebellion. Arroyo accepted the apology, but ruled out immediate pardon and said their trial would proceed.^[4] The officers face sentences up to life in prison for the mutiny. Trillanes ran for a senatorial position during the 2007 Philippine Elections, using ''Magdalo'' paraphernalia. At present, Trillanes remains detained at the Marine headquarters in Fort Bonifacio.^[5]
In November 2004, President Arroyo ordered 133 of the 321 soldiers freed, saying they were deceived by their officers into joining the mutiny. But insiders say that this was made possible through back-channel negotiations in the wake of the ''Magdalo'' leaders' apology.

Guilty plea

On July 10, 2007, twelve junior officers, leaders of the ''Magdalo'' group, entered guilty pleas on charges of "conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman" — (Article 96, Articles of War) at a hearing at Camp Aguinaldo. They were Army Captains Gerardo Gambala, Milo Maestrocampo, Lawrence Luis Somera, Albert Baloloy, John Andres, Florentino Somera and Alvin Ebreo, and First Lieutenants Cleao Donga-as, Audie Tocloy, Von Rio Tayab, Rex Bolo and Brian Yasay.^[6]
The verdict on the twelve officers, along with 17 others, will be released on the next scheduled hearing. The court will likely impose the penalty of “dishonorable discharge” on the junior officers. Five other junior officers, including former Lt/SG Grade Antonio Trillanes IV, who recently won a seat in the Senate, have not indicated any intention to enter into a plea bargaining agreement with the court. Trillanes, Gambala and Maestrecampo are members of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1995.
On August 22, 2007, twelve of the accused were meted the sentence of ''dishonorable discharge'' by a military court under Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Legaspi. Sentenced were Army Captains Milo Maestrecampo, Gerardo Gambala, Albert Baloloy, Alvin Ebreo, Lawrence Somera, and John Andres; and First Lieutenants Rex Bolo, Von Rio Tayab, Audie Tocloy, Cleo Donga-as, Florentino Somera, and Brian Yasay. The sentence will take effect once approved by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.^[7]

Refusal to plea bargain

Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon, one of the accused officers, refused to enter a guilty plea and issued a statement on July 27, 2007, the fourth anniversary of the incident, explaining his decision.^[8][9]

See also

★ Hello Garci scandal

External links

★ The Facts Behind the Oakwood Mutiny

★ Captain Nicanor Faeldon's "No Plea Bargain" statement

References

1. Small setback... Herman T Laurel
2. Philippine Flag History
3. The History of the Philippine Flag
4. Oakwood mutiny leaders say sorry to Arroyo
5. Magdalo on Oakwood's 4th yr: 'Nothing changed'
6.
7. 12 Magdalos meted dishonorable discharge
8. No Plea Bargain
9. Passing Through Ellen Tordesillas