source:http://www.gmanews.tv/story/111159/7-Magdalo-officers-now-working-under-OPAPP
According to Presidential Peace Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr, the group, including Capt. Milo Maestrecampo, has been working in his office for a month already and are presently involved in the social integration process of former communist rebels.
“They are in the social integration process of former rebels. (It’s) very important because one, if they know the problem of the rebels, they know the systems that go with that,” Esperon said.
Maestrecampo was part of the Magdalo group that seized the posh Oakwood Premier Hotel in Makati City in July 27, 2003, and demanded the immediate resignation of President Arroyo.
Maestrecampo, along with eight others, pleaded guilty to a charge of coup d'etat in March. He and another core Magdalo leader, Capt. Gerardo Gambala, was sentenced to life imprisonment while the rest were given a jail term of not less than 12 years by the Makati regional trial court.
In April, Esperon – then still the Armed Forces chief – and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro recommended to President Arroyo the grant of pardon on the nine officers who they said have shown remorse and have turned staunch advocate against military adventurism.
The President Arroyo announced her approval of the recommendation during the turnover rites between Esperon and present AFP chief Gen. Alexander Yano in May. The nine were released from detention days after their pardon.
Esperon identified only six of the seven former military officers working in his office. They are Maestrecampo, Capts. John Andres, Alvin Ebreo, Albert Baloloy, Cleo Donga-as, and Bryan Yasay.
Gambala, according to Esperon, “chose to join a ministry.” He was the valedictorian of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class of ’95.
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4 comments:
Everyone should be given a chance to change. Because sometimes, to learn about the right things to do in life, we should first know or do wrong. And when we know the difference, we are given a chance to change, and if we do, it shows how good of a person we are.
This shows that these Magdalo officers are willing to change and to be able to show that, they are working their best to serve our country once again.
Unity should be encouraged if the Filipinos would want a better country. Working with former rebels should be encouraged since they know the beliefs of the current rebels and they can help bring peace in the Philippines.
change should start at one. or at this case, seven. this is good. magdalo people are going to the good side. now, they can use their knowledge for the benefit of our country. i hope more magdalo guys do the same. Go RP.
I think they deserved the pardon since they did it for the love of our country. The only thing they did was wrong was how they showed it. Giving them a new chance is the best thing to do.
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