Last Thursday, while former Armed Forces Chief Generoso Senga, now ambassador to Iran, was testifying at a court martial trial in Camp Aguinaldo on the stirrings in the military in February 2006, members of the Magdalo group were at the Commission on Election for a hearing on their application for accreditation of Magdalo Para sa Pagbabago as a regional political party in the National Capital Region.
Questions asked of Former Air Force Lieutenant Ashley Acedillo, secretary general and spokesman for the Magdalo group, revolved around whether they advocate violence as a means to introduce change. ( Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV had wanted to be present in the the Magdalo’s case at the Comelec but he was not granted permission by the Makati Regional trial Court.)
Acedillo told Comelec commissioners that their participation in the election process is proof of their advocacy for reform through peaceful means.
This is departure, of course, from how they were thrust into public consciousness. In July 2003, some 300 of them, junior officers and enlisted men, took over the Oakwood Hotel. Accusing Arroyo administration of massive corruption and manipulating the war in Mindanao, they demanded the resignation of Gloria Arroyo.
The idealistic officers all ended up in detention but their allegations about corruption by Arroyo and her officials have been affirmed by subsequent exposes. The government’s efforts to demonize them had backfired and Trillanes was elected senator while in prison.
Acedillo, who is out on bail, said the desire for reforms and for a better life for Filipinos that brought them to Oakwood six years ago is very much alive in them. But, he said, “We understand that if we are to effect or pursue meaningful change in governance, we will have to be part of governance mechanism and we cannot do so if we are not elected.”
The organization, which now includes civilian members, counts on more than 100,000 card carrying members in many provinces.
In Metro Manila, the Magdalo will be fielding former Navy Capt. James Layug for the congressional seat in the second district of Taguig City. Acedillo himself will be running to represent the first district of Cebu.
Other Magdalo candidates are Army Capt. Dante Langkit , also for congressman, in Kalinga and former Marine Capt. Gary Alejano for mayor of Sipalay, Negros Occidental.
On the national level, Magdalo will field their supremo, Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim for the Senate. In this regard, they are talking with other opposition political parties for possible alliance. He said they will also be supporting the senatorial bid of Col. Ariel Querubin.
Acedillo said that they are also thinking of the party-list option Magdalo.
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I was late for the court martial hearing of the 28 officers charged with mutiny for something that did not happen in February 2006 following the revelations of the role of the military in thwarting the will of the people in the 2004 elections as heard in the “Hello Garci” tapes.
On the witness stand was ambassador to Iran Generoso Senga, who was the Armed Forces chief- of- staff in February 2006.
Senga had testified that on the evening of Feb. 23, 2006, then Philippine Marines commander, Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda; Lim, then the commander of the Army Scout Rangers; and Querubin, then the commander of the First Marine Brigade based in Marawi City came to his office and informed him of a plot of some soldiers to join the protest rally against Arroyo the next day. He said the three told him of their plan to join the rally.
Upon further questioning by Trial Judge Advocate Col. Serme Ayuyao, Senga said, “there was a plan for elements of different units of the AFP and PNP to join protest rallies and announce withdrawal of support from the President…It was a failed (coup) attempt.”
I caught up with some defense lawyers incompetently conducting cross examination of Senga, who sounded dismissive and arrogant. Many times, he would anxiously look at his watch. Ayuyao told the court that the witness still had to go to a meeting.
What I found significant was the cross examination by Vic Verdadero, counsel for Lim and many other Scout Ranger officers.
Verdadero asked Senga, “When Miranda, Lim and Querubin went to your office, they told about the protest rally the following day and that the officers were restive. And that they were joining the rally to be able to control the officers.” Senga said “yes.”
Verdadero asked, “Did they come in uniform”. Senga replied. “Yes, in uniform.”
Verdadero told Senga the three were in civilian clothes. Senga amended his answer saying he can no longer recall what the three were wearing.
Verdadero asked Senga if Miranda, Lim and Querubin were armed. Senga replied, “I didn’t see any firearm.”
Verdadero’s last question was, “You didn’t order their arrest right then and there because they did not commit any crime.” Senga answered, “yes.”
