World | Philippines
Five soldiers enter plea bargain in failed 2003 coup case
Accused admit involvement in hold-up at posh Manila hotel
- By Rafael Juan, Correspondent
- Published: 00:34 April 5, 2008
Manila: Five soldiers have asked a court martial to change their plea from innocent to guilty for their involvement in a failed coup against President Gloria Arroyo in 2003, a prosecutor told Gulf News.
Army lieutenants Lawrence San Juan, Sonny Sarmiento and Nathaniel Rabonza approached brigadier general Nathaniel Legaspi, who presided over the court martial hearing, and admitted they were guilty of conduct unbecoming of officers when they briefly took over the posh Oakwood Hotel in Makati City in July 2003, said Colonel Pedro Herrera-Davila, the military court's prosecutor.
The offence is punishable with dishonourable discharge from service, said Davila, adding the soldiers agreed to a plea bargain with the military court to lessen their punishment.
San Juan, Sarmiento and Rabonza were linked to Magdalo, a right wing rebel group when they led some 300 young officers into the hotel in 2003.
Two other soldiers, army second lieutenant Jason Panaligan and air force second lieutenant Christopher Orongan pleaded guilty to conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline in exchange for the dropping of charges against them, such as disrespect to the president and superiors, and mutiny.
Final verdict
Legaspi said the court would announce its final verdict in the next hearing.
Last December, 53 officers were released from detention after entering into plea bargains with military prosecutors.
Senator-elect Antonio Trillanes, also a Magdalo leader, has refused to accept a similar reprieve.
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