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Philippines mutiny men seek dismissal of court-martial charges
Manila, Sept 05: Six of the junior officers who led a failed mutiny against President Gloria Arroyo asked the government today to dismiss the charges laid against them, their lawyer said.
Manila, Sept 05: Six of the junior officers who led a failed mutiny against President Gloria Arroyo asked the government today to dismiss the charges laid against them,
their lawyer said.
The six captains appeared before the military's judge-advocate general who formally informed them that they would be charged before a military court for violating six
provisions of the articles of war, including mutiny which is punishable by life imprisonment.
The six, included the alleged core mutiny leaders Gerardo Gambala, Milo Maestrecampo, James Layug, Gary Alejano, and Antonio Trillanes, wore regulation combat uniforms but also red armbands, which they said was a symbol of protest against government plans to charge them separately in civilian court. Their lawyer Homobono Adaza asked the Justice Department today to dismiss rebellion complaints lodged against them.
The proper forum is "not in the civilian courts but with the military courts," Adaza said in his written motion.
The military launched court-martial proceedings against the alleged mutiny leaders a day after Arroyo aides said the government had foiled a second plot against the President. The junior officers stormed the Makati Financial District on July 27, barricading themselves behind explosives and snipers in support of calls for the resignation of Arroyo and then defence secretary Angelo Reyes.
Bureau Report
The six, included the alleged core mutiny leaders Gerardo Gambala, Milo Maestrecampo, James Layug, Gary Alejano, and Antonio Trillanes, wore regulation combat uniforms but also red armbands, which they said was a symbol of protest against government plans to charge them separately in civilian court. Their lawyer Homobono Adaza asked the Justice Department today to dismiss rebellion complaints lodged against them.
The proper forum is "not in the civilian courts but with the military courts," Adaza said in his written motion.
The military launched court-martial proceedings against the alleged mutiny leaders a day after Arroyo aides said the government had foiled a second plot against the President. The junior officers stormed the Makati Financial District on July 27, barricading themselves behind explosives and snipers in support of calls for the resignation of Arroyo and then defence secretary Angelo Reyes.
Bureau Report