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Manila: Eleven military officers, including two Medal of Valour awardees, were arraigned on Tuesday for their supposed involvement in the botched February 2006 coup.
Top among those arraigned was Brigadier General Danilo Lim, former commander of the First Scout Ranger Regiment.
Also arraigned were Colonel Ariel Querubin and Lieutenant Col Custodio Parcon both of the Philippine Marines, who were recipients of the Medal of Valour award, the highest combat recognition in the Philippine military.
Officers Col Orlando de Leon, Col Armando Banez, Lt Col Aquilles Segumallian, Lt Col Nestor Flordeliza, Lt Col Edmundo Malabanjot, Major Jason Aquino and Second Lieutenant Ritchiemel Caballes were also arraigned.
Earlier, the military court had arraigned Maj Gen Renato Miranda, former commandant of the Philippine Marines Corps, for his alleged participation in the failed coup. The officers were charged with violation of Articles of War 67 or mutiny. The court gave lawyers of the accused 15 days to file in writing their special plea. The defence lawyers claimed that the case should be dropped for lack of basis. A total of 28 officers are being detained in connection with the failed coup in February 2006.
Arroyo has quelled three coups, one of which was the brief takeover of posh Oakwood Hotel in Makati City in 2003, and the other, the brief takeover of Manila Peninsula by soldiers who walked out of their hearing in Makati court in November 2007.
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