MANILA, Philippines (PNA) - Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said Wednesday he approved the applications of 153 officers and men who are seeking amnesty after being involved in a coup plot during the administration of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Gazmin said it is part of the reconciliation efforts under the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III.
Meanwhile, Col. Ariel Querubin, a bemedalled Marine officer, who was among those who allegedly led a plot to overthrow the Arroyo government in February 2006 applied for amnesty on Tuesday, a day after losing a court battle to have his mutiny case dismissed.
Querubin, a recipient of the highest military decoration for bravery and gallantry in combat, submitted his papers to the amnesty committee formed by the defense department to accept and process amnesty applications.
Querubin is the 236th coup plotter to apply for amnesty since the amnesty committee began entertaining applications last Jan. 3.
On Tuesday, a military tribunal granted a motion for reconsideration by six junior officers to have their case dismissed after finding no probable cause to continue trying them for violating the Article of War 67 or mutiny.
But the court dismissed the motion of Querubin, former Marine commandant Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda and former Scout Ranger chief Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim for lack of merit. From a high of 29 officers, the three are the remaining accused in the case.
Joel Atencio, Manila Bulletin
