AFP Chief of Staff orders release of 10 Magdalo soldiers

Armed Forces Chief of Staff Delfin Bangit has ordered the release of 10 more renegade soldiers who were tagged in the 2007 Manila Peninsula siege, a military spokesman said.

Armed Forces spokesman Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. said Bangit signed the release order Sunday, days after the detained soldiers have settled their case before the military’s general court martial.

The 10 were sentenced to 8 months in prison by a military court last April 7 after pleading guilty to offenses filed against them in relation to the November 2007 siege of the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City.

The charges were violation of Articles of War 63 (disrespect to the President), 96 (conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman), 97 (conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline) and 70 (escape from confinement).

The 10, along with former Scout Ranger chief now senatorial candidate Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and at-large Capt. Nicanor Faeldon, were also originally charged with violation of AW67 or mutiny, which was earlier dismissed by the court.

Abaya said Lim and Faeldon remain charged for violation of the four Articles of War before the tribunal. Lim is also facing a separate military court for his involvement in the alleged plot to overthrow the Arroyo government in February 2006.

The 10 sentenced officers are among the many Magdalo officers charged with coup d etat before the sala of Makati City judge Oscar Pimentel for the Oakwood mutiny. (PIA-Bohol)

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