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Manila: A regional trial court has allowed a soldier who was involved in a failed coup against President Gloria Arroyo in 2003 to post bail, giving him temporary liberty while his case is heard.
Lawrence San Juan, a former army lieutenant, had filed a personal bail bond of 100,000 pesos (Dh8,855) for his "provisional liberty", Judge Oscar Pimentel of the Makati Regional Trial Court said in an order released on Thursday.
San Juan was a "mere participant" and did not play a leadership role when 300 officers took over the upscale Oakwood Hotel and rigged it with explosives in Manila's financial district of Makati, Pimentel said.
The coup was quelled in less than 24 hours.
San Juan, who filed his application for bail in 2004 while under detention at Fort Bonifacio, the Army headquarters in suburban Taguig, must attend a hearing in his case on April 24.
Four other soldiers are set to post bail pleas before the court, sources said.
Pimentel, however, denied a petition for bail filed in 2004 by Senator-elect and former navy lieutenant Antonio Trillanes, and army captains Gerardo Gambala and Milo Maestrecampo.
Statement urges restraint
Meanwhile, nine officers jailed for the coup plot apologised to the public and government yesterday and urged their comrades not to follow their example.
Gerardo Gambala, the seniormost officer involved in the rebellion, read a joint statement admitting the group had erred in launching the daylong mutiny. The court on Tuesday sentenced the men to between 12 and 40 years in prison.
"We undoubtedly made a mistake," Gambala told reporters. "We apologise to the people. We ask for forgiveness for our rebellion."
Deputy presidential spokesman Anthony Golez remarked: "We cannot sacrifice justice just because they suddenly said sorry."
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