MANILA, Philippines - Seven former military officers who were part of the group that attempted to overthrow the Arroyo administration in July 2003 are now involved in government efforts to forge peace with rebel organizations.
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. (Its) 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. - GMANews.TV