Filipino soldier charged in coup plots says he surrendered because new president is legitimate

Filipino coup suspect says new prez is legitimate

MANILA, Philippines — A rebel soldier who turned himself in to face charges stemming from two coup attempts against the Philippines’ former president said Thursday he is willing to face justice because he considers the new president legitimate.

Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon was accused of helping lead 300 soldiers in taking over the upscale Oakwood Hotel and a nearby shopping center in Manila in July 2003 and of fleeing a courtroom in 2007 while on trial. They were seeking the resignation of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who was dogged by accusations she stole an election.

“There is no reason for me to stay unaccountable now because we have a new government which has the mandate of the people,” Faeldon told reporters after being taken into military custody.

“I cannot choose my own commander in chief. But in the case of the previous president, I am one of those who believe she doesn’t possess the mandate of the people,” he said.

Faeldon and his co-accused have said they did not plan to stage coups and were simply protesting Arroyo’s policies. They are facing charges of mutiny and coup attempt.

President Benigno Aquino III welcomed Faeldon’s decision to surrender and promised him a fair trial, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.

Faeldon and other mutinous officers fled their trial in November 2007, marching out of the courtroom and taking over a nearby five-star Manila hotel to press their demand for Arroyo’s resignation. Faeldon later went into hiding.

Faeldon and the others were on trial in connection with a previous coup attempt in July 2003. The rebels denounced corruption in the government and the armed forces and withdrew support from Arroyo, calling her a “bogus president.”

Authorities mounted a nationwide manhunt for Faeldon, offering a $22,000 (1 million pesos) reward for his capture. He taunted his pursuers by posting a video on his website showing him inside some military camps.

The coup attempts highlighted the Philippines’ political instability and restiveness in the 120,000-member military, one of Asia’s weakest, which has struggled to modernize and retrain its troops fighting multiple insurgencies despite funding shortfalls.

Arroyo was accused of vote rigging in the 2004 election as well as corruption and favoritism, allegations that stoked political and military unrest during her nine years in office. Her term ended June 30 and she has denied any wrongdoing.

Aquino has promised to form a commission to investigate her.

Of the original 300, nine officers were convicted and sentenced in 2008 to prison terms of 12 to 40 years. They later apologized to Arroyo and were pardoned. But six others refused to say they were sorry and five of them are still being detained.

Most of the others have been discharged and some have returned to service.