What a Thursday!
By ELLEN TORDESILLAS
Thursday morning, the Makati City hall premises were swarming with military personnel. Aside from the usual security escorts of the Magdalo officers, there were those from Camp Capinpin in Tanay who brought down Brig. Gen. Danny Lim, who was to testify on the agreement forged between Malacañang's representatives and the Oakwood mutineers in July 2003.
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Pahayag ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
Hinggil sa Nobyembre 29 insidente sa The Peninsula Manila
8 p.m. November 30, 2007
Mga kababayan, panatag at matiwasay ang sitwasyon sa bayan. Natanggal na ang curfew, at bumalik na ang tao sa karaniwang gawain. Normal na ang takbo ng lungsod at ng buong bansa na rin.
Nawa’y kagaanan sa kalooban ng taong bayang Pilipino na malakas at matatag ang mga institusyon ng pamahalaan at lipunang sibil.
Ipinagtatanggol ng gobyerno ang taong bayan at nagtataguyod ng kaayusan at katatagan.
Nanaig ang rule of law. Hindi lalapastanganin ng mga may sala ang bayan nang walang pakundangan. Paparusahan sila sa buong higpit ng batas. Paiiralin ang katarungan, at isusulong ang kapakanan ng taong bayan.
Klarong-klarong na kitang-kita sa pakana nitong iilang desperado kung gaano kabulag sila sa mga hangarin at pangarap ng karaniwang Pilipino. Ibig ng mga Pilipino ang panatag na pulitika, magandang hinaharap para sa ekonomiya, at hustisya sosyal.
Ang panggugulo nitong mga taong nalihis ng landas ay winawasak ang bawat isa sa mga taimtim na adhikain ng mga tunay ng Pilipino. Sa halip na magsikap sa ilalim ng ating demokrasya upang pagbuklurin ang bayan, ginagatungan lamang ng kanilang kilos ang mga motibong makasarili para sa pansariling interes.
Kailan ba naging kabayanihan ang pagbubunsod ng karahasan, pagyurak sa Saligang Batas, at pagwasak ng mga ari-arian? Kailan ba yinakap ng mga Pilipino ang pagbale-wala sa batas, pagbubunsod ng gulo, at pagsusulong ng ligalig?
Ang sagot: hindi kailanman.
Kaya naman itong mga nag-iisang lobo ay di-naunawaan ang diwa at pananampalataya ng sambayanang Pilipino.
Lalong nakakadismaya ang kilos nitong mga desperado sa panahong humahakbang ang bansa nang pinakamabilis sa dalawampung taon.
At muli, ang mga bayaning tahimik ay iyong mga masisipag, makabansa at may malasakit na Pilipino na tinalikuran itong labis na kabaliwan. Ibig marinig ng Pilipino ang pag-asa, hindi pangamba, at tinig mula sa mga lagalag na ito ay walang iba kundi ingay na walang saysay.
Taos-puso tayong nagtitingala sa malayang pamamahayag at rule of law. Hindi natin ikinasiya na naging problema sa media ang mga patakaran ng pulis kahit ilang oras lamang. Inatasan natin na bilisan ang pagproseso ng mga kasapi ng media at pakawalan sila kaagad kapag wala nang dahilan upang manatili sila sa ilalim ng pulis.
Hindi tayo umuurong sa atas ng ating katungkulan, kabilang ang patuloy nating pagbabalangkas ng patakarang panlabas na higit na ikinabubuti ng ating taong bayan. Sa gayon, buo ang loob ko sa pagbiyahe sa Europa upang isulong ang ating pambansang kagalingan sa mga pakikipagpulong sa mga pinuno ng negosyo at gobyerno sa Espanya at Britanya.
Muli nating hihikayatin ang mga investor sa Pilipinas, mga investor na nangangapital ng malaki at lumilikha ng trabaho at kabuhayan para sa ating taong bayan.
Tutukan natin ang kinabukasan at kung ano ang maisasakatuparan nating magkabalikat.
Maraming salamat sa iyong lahat.
Tungkol sa naging mga kaganapan sa Makati City
6:50 pm Nobyembre 29, 2007
Mga kababayan, nagpupugay tayo sa mga alagad ng batas, katulong ang mga kawal ng Sandatahang Lakas, sa mabisa at mabilis na pagresolba sa ligalig sa Makati. Ating iniutos na pawiin ang anumang mga bantang nalalabi upang mapairal nang lubusan ang batas at kaayusan.
Dapat walang duda sa pag-iral ng batas sa bansang ito, at sa kakayahan ng Pamahalaan na ipatupad ang tama laban sa mali.
Ang mali at ligaw na gawain ng iilan ay hindi nangungusap para sa taong bayan o sa hukbo at kapulisan. Gaya ng dati, ipapataw sa kanila ang buong tindi ng katarungan nang buong higpit at walang palugit.
Itutuloy ang paglitis ng mga rebeldeng sundalo hanggang sa wakas alinsunod sa batas. Ayon sa nararapat, maghahanda ng karagdagang mga asunto upang panagutin ang mga gumawa ng bagong krimen.
Walang patid ang linya ng panunungkulan ng Sandatahang Lakas; at patuloy ang ating mga kawal at pulis sa kanilang makabayani at mapagmalasakit na paglilingkod sa buong bansa. Nananalig tayo sa mga naka-uniporme sa kanilang pagtataguyod ng lehitimong awtoridad at mahal na watawat.
Nananawagan tayo sa lahat na talikdan na itong sandaling ligalig at balikan ang gawain ng taumbayan. Hindi dapat matigil kahit sandali ang ating pakikibaka laban sa kahirapan at para sa katarungan.
Paulit-ulit nating ipinamalas sa mundo ang katatagan ng mga institusyon ng ating demokrasya at ang kalakasan nitong pamahalaan. Saligan ng ating matatag na republika ang malakas na ekonomiya na buong itinataguyod ng sambayanang Pilipino.
Chronology: Rebellion in Makati
9:00 am - Hearing on Oakwood mutiny begins in the sala of Judge Oscar Pimentel in Makati RTC; Brig. Gen Danny Lim is present as a witness
10:04 am – Chaos at courtroom as accused accused Navy Lt. SG James Layug take Lim. Pimentel orders sheriff to stop Layug but sheriff could not move since military police escorts did not move
10:15am - Senator Trillanes, Brig. Gen. Lim, Layug, Marines Capt. Nicanor Faeldon, Marines Capt. Gary Alejano with other Magdalo soldiers walk out of hearing with some of them carrying firearms.
11:05 am Ambush interview with Sen. Trillanes - "Sama sama po tayo sa makati. di natin tiya tiyagain ang korupsyon ng administrasyong ito. pakita natin na meron tayong dangal"
11:26 am Trillanes, Lim, Guingona and other Magdalo group members march along Makati Avenue going to Manila Peninsula
12 nn Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim press conference at Manila Peninsula. Lim calls for ouster of President Arroyo, call for support from people. Attending press conference are Trillanes and former VP Guingona
12:23 pm Business group Philipine Chamber of Commerce, Inc. calls for calm and sobriety
12:53 pm Police chief Dir. Gen. Avelino Razon says "Red alert all over the Philippines" since 11 am
1 pm President Arroyo arrives at the Palace from San Pablo City; immediately presides at emergency Cabinet security meeting
1:10pm, Three armored personnel carriers (APC) and 2 6 x 6 trucks of Marines leave Marines HQ in Ft. Bonifacio to support government troops to Makati
1:10pm Senators call for sobriety; Sen. Miguel Zubiri calls for calm
1:25pm Marines public information office release statement which said Philippine Marine Corps is still loyal to the government
1:27pm command meeting of Philippine Army held
1:45pm From the Palace: Presidential Legal Counsel Sergio Apostol issues 3 pm deadline for Trillanes, Lim and company to surrender
1:50 pm Malacañang Presscon: Bunye says President Arroyo still going to state visit in Spain and London
2:10 pm Marine armored tanks take position on Ayala Ave.
2:15pm Police NCRPO chief director Geary Barias tries to negotiate with Magdalo
2:20pm People start to gather near Ninoy Aquino statue on Ayala Ave
2:30 pm Tourists staying at Manila Peninsula transfer to Makati Shangrila Hotel
2:35 pm Supreme Court Justice Reynato Puno said he's not interested in caretaker government
2:40 pm PNP spokesman Samuel Pagdilao holds press briefing at Camp Crame
2:45 pm Police NCRPO chief Director Geary Barias pushed away by rebel soldiers, leaves Manila Peninsula
2:50 pm PNP spokesman Samuel Pagdilao says they're allowed to use reasonable force if Trillanes refuses to budge
2:56 pm Soldiers assemble at Camp Aguinaldo grandstand for loyalty check
3:00pm Marine tanks run on Ayala Ave
3:06pm Trillanes speaks to the media: "This government is devoid of ethical considerations. We have more than enough willpower and spirit"
3:09 PM Vice-President Noli de Castro: I urge everyone to remain calm so that the present situation can be resolved peacefully. We should respect our democratic institutions, uphold the constitution and the rule of law at all times.
3:30 PM Bench warrant of arrest issued by Judge Pimentel served vs Trillanes et al.
3:35 PM Sen. Trillanes goes down to hotel front lobby from his holding room on the second floor..But Trillanes detours and goes up to the hotel Conservatory...He goes to his holding room. Trillanes advised Magdalo soldiers to make people leave the hotel.
3:46 PM - Around 50 SWAT police wearing gas masks line up near Manila Peninsula
3:47 PM Brig. Gen. Danny Lim said they will stay.
3:50 pm PNP-Special Action Force prepares to march to Manila Peninsula
3:58 PM From aerial view, Police Special Action Force (SAF) seen running toward hotel
4:01 PM SAF troops move; make first shots
4:10 PM AFP chief of staff Hermogenes Esperon press conference at Villamor Airbase: "We will be in tandem with the PNP.
4:48 PM Tear gas spreads at Manila Pen. People advised to breathe through wet handkerchiefs
4:49 PM Trillanes- "I'm supposed to check what's going on. Dito sa ginagawa ng administrasyon, you have to witness its ruthlessness. Walang pakundangan. They're willing to hurt even the media men. Tingnan nyo kung anong klaseng administrasyon ito."
4:53 PM Military said it is standing down. They're leaving it to the PNP since this needs police action.
4:54 PM Guingona - "We've been tear-gased. This calls for sobriety."
4:55 PM Governors and mayors convene at Malacañang and express support for administration.
4:59 PM Series of shots fired at Manila Peninsula
5:07 PM Armored personnel carrier (APC) breaks into Manila Peninsula main door lobby.
5:17 PM Guingona makes announcement - Trillanes group leaving Manila Peninsula
5:21 PM Trillanes announces his group is leaving Manila Peninsula. “Like soldiers, we're going to face this. Whatever they would want to do with me. We're going out for the safety of everybody....As soon as it is safe to pass, we will leave....We are public servants..We did this out of obligation to the people.. At the end of this crisis, GMA will still be there. And you have seen what the past 7 years entail."
5:24 PM Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim issues a statement - What we did was in consonance with Constitution. This is a continuing business.
5:29 PM Fr. Robert Reyes - The violence came from the military.
5:30 PM Bibeth Orteza, member of civil society group - "I believe the media protected the soldiers here."
5:35 PM Soldiers begin to leave Manila Peninsula
5:43 PM Urban poor organization from Quezon City marching along EDSA toward Makati to join support for Trillanes
5:45 PNP chief Dir. Gen. Avelino Razon orders that Trillanes and company be brought to NCRPO headqurters in Bicutan, Taguig. As he said that all of them will be taken including Guingona and if they refuse, they can be charged with obstruction of justice.
5:51 PM National Security Adviser Secretary Norberto Gonzales in Malacañang briefing said several businessmen, 15-20 groups are backing Trillanes. He did not name them.
5:55 PM Authorities led by Police NCRPO-CIDG Senior Superintendent Asher Dolina want to confiscate video tapes of ABS-CBN crew of Pinky Webb and threaten to arrest them. Dolina wants to bring them to Bicutan.
6:14 PM Fr. Robert Reyes, Bishop Labayen leave Manila Peninsula
6:18 PM Sen Trillanes in handcuffs brought out of Manila Peninsula and taken to a high-security bus
6:21 PM Former VP Guingona brought out of Manila Peninsula and taken to high-security bus
6:22 PM Brig. Gen. Danny Lim escorted out of Manila Peninsula and taken to high-security bus
6:24 PM Noel Alamar of DZMM, ABS-CBN technical crew also in handcuffs
6:25 PM Fr. Robert Reyes, Bishop Labayen board high-security van
6:35 PM ABS-CBN crew members board NCRPO bus
6:44 PM Sec.Gilbert Teodoro guests at News Patrol -- "They will face charges - rebellion, coup..."
6:53 PM PGMA ANNOUNCEMENT AT MALACANANG - "ipapataw sa kanila ang buong tindi ng katarungan nang buong higpit at walang palugit....Itutuloy ang paglitis ng mga rebeldend sundalo hanggang sa wakas alinsunod sa batas. Ayon sa nararapat, maghahanda ng karagdagang mga asunto upang panagutin ang mga gumawa ng bagong krimen."
7:10 NCRPO bus carrying Trillanes et al arrives at Camp Bagong Diwa
7:55 PM MANILA PENINSULA STATEMENT: The Peninsula Manila will be closed and will remain as such while the hotel's management addresses the extent of the damage from the incident. Operations will resume as soon as possible.
8:05 PM DILG SECRETARY Ronaldo Puno repeats PNP imposing curfew from 12midnight to 5am for Metro Manila, Region 3 (Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Pampanga, Bulacan, Bataan, Zambales), and Region 4-A (Calabarzon). Permit to carry firearms is temporarily suspended.
8:10 PM Marines remove armored personnel carrier from Manila Pen. Police and military personnel secure hotel.
8:29 PM Second PGMA statement - "As soon as processing is done, journalists should be freed."
8:30 PM Bus carrying arrested members of the media arrive at Camp Bagong Diwa
INSTANT QUOTES
"This is a withdrawal of support. We are joining our people in calling for the removal of the President." - Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim’s announcement during their walkout
"Magsama-sama tayo. Nanawagan po kami sa taongbayan na naniniwala sa pagbabago. Join us po." - Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV during their walkout
“General Lim [was about to] testify when a guy in uniform grabbed him and brought him out of the courtroom. And the guy allegedly is a Magdalo officer and he was accompanied by several officers… and they brought him down.” - Lim's lawyer Vicente Verdadero, regarding the walkout.
"Unfortunate but it shows the true character of these officials. It looks like that with this action, it confirms the case filed against them earlier. It reveals how they think, that they don't believe in the process of justice, democracy. I myself say that democracy has its limitations but I would never do that.” - National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales
"We are now on red alert. Our policemen have been dispatched [to Makati City]." - Director General Avelino Razon Jr., PNP chief, in an abs-cbnNews.com phone interview.
"I want to inform the people that as of now we have not monitored any unauthorized troop movement." - Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro, AFP's public information chief
“We will apply the full force of the law to re-arrest the escapees and to prosecute those involved… We will apply the full force of the law to maintain peace and order,” Gilbert Teodoro, Defense secretary
"I want to go up, but they won't allow me for the moment. Maybe we can come up with the peaceful situation." PNP-NCRPO chief Director Geary Barias
"What is happening now might go further than before, because before there were also some rallies, but for all intents and purposes this seems to be much bigger than before. How far it would go, I would not know… I only hope that the Armed Forces that is still under the commander in chief will not be trigger happy because if they do that, that is asking for trouble. The Armed Forces are not known to hurt one another, this is a sacred norm among them. I hope that no violence, much less any drop of blood will be stirred." – Lingayen Archbishop Oscar Cruz,
"I don't know their agenda. I'm not with them." – former president Joseph Estrada
“No, we will finish it today." – Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno when asked if the crisis in Makati will escalate.
"With all of the avenues closed by the ... courts, no other means remains but for the officers and men of the armed forces of the Philippines and the Philippine national police to exercise their constitutional mandate and to take the powers of the sovereign people again." – Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim
“I hope no more officers and even enlisted men are going to be sacrificed because they were either influenced or they were ordered to do things. I hope the turn of events [is] not going to be rejected by our people.” - Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, Senate Defense committee chairman and former AFP chief
"Everybody [should be] out of the hotel so that we can affect the order of Malacañang," PNP- NCRPO Chief Barias
"We are preparing our forces to reinforce the National Capital Region command. We have also activated all our checkpoints to Manila to prevent third forces from taking advantage of the situation by conducting sabotage and terror activities” - Maj. Randolph Cabangbang, spokesman for the military's Southern Luzon Command which controls units based south of Manila.
"The Philippine Marines remains loyal to the constituion and the government.” - Marines Public Information Officer Lt. Col. Jonas Lumawag.
"Arrests will be made at 3 p.m." – PNP-NCRPO chief Director Geary Barias
"He is too old to go to jail." - Sec. Raul Gonzales on former Vice President Teofisto Guingona
"Ang Pangulo ay isang hands-on leader. Bumalik siya sa palasyo at nag-convene ng pagpupulong. (The President is a hands-on leader. She went back to the palace and convened a meeting). She started issuing orders to different parties concerned." Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye
“They will continue to support the duly constituted authority and remain united as Team Army under the chain of command up to the Commander- in-Chief.” – Philippine Army spokesman Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres Jr.
"Well, they can try. They can do anything. I‘m going to expect the worst from this people. One thing I can assure you is we have more than enough will power and fighting spirit to bring this government down." – Sen. Trillanes
"The United States and the Philippines are long-time democratic allies and the US Embassy wishes to take this opportunity to reiterate our government's support for the rule of law, constitutional order and the government of the Philippines." - US Embassy statement
"[US] Ambassador Kirstie Kenney has spoken with officials at Malacañang Palace to reiterate our confidence that this incident is swiftly and peacefully resolved by the Philippine National Police, supported by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, in accordance with Philippine law." - US Embassy statement
“I hope no more officers and even enlisted men are going to be sacrificed because they were either influenced or they were ordered to do things. I hope the turn of events [is] not going to be rejected by our people.” – Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, in an ANC interview
"You have been witnesses and victims of the kind of ruthlessness this administration has given to the people. Now like soldiers we are going to face this." - Sen. Trillanes
“Tumayo tayo nayong araw na ito upang gampanan ang aking tungkuling bilang dating sundalo at ngayon ay senador ng bayan. Ang katungkulan na iyon ay tumayo para sa karapatan ng naapi subalit nakita po naming lahat kung hanggang saan ang gagawing ng administrasyong ito para mahawakan ang poder ng kapangyarihang.” - Sen. Trillanes
“Like I said before we are going out for the sake of the safety….for your sake.” - Sen. Trillanes, referring to members of the media, civilians and employees of the hotel
“These things are unnecessary if only the government is doing its job.” - former National Security Adviser Jose Almonte, referring to the attempted coup
“Maraming arresting officers. Maaaring iba hindi kilala iyong ibang media. We have to identify kung legitimate talaga o hindi (We have many arresting officers. It is possible that they did not recognize them).” - Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro
"Never in the turbulent recent history of the Philippines has any government, including that of Ferdinand Marcos, ever taken into custody members of the media who were on the scene to do their jobs." - part of the statement of the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility
"I commend the law enforcement authorities supported by AFP elements for resolving the Makati standoff with efficiency and dispatch. I direct that all residual threats, if any, be mopped up to fully restore law and order." - President Gloria Arroyo
"The management of The Peninsula Manila wishes to reassure its guests and patrons that it did everything possible to ensure their safety." - part of the statement of the management of the Manila Peninsula Hotel
"The administration should read the writing on the wall and think deeply about the roots of this indicent—the issues of justice, poverty, failed institutions and the people’s powerlessness." - Sen. Manuel "Mar" Roxas II
"We in ABS CBN News strongly condemn the illegal arrests of our ABS CBN team and our colleagues in the media and decry the atrocious
treatment we are being subjected to in the hands of the police. Our reporters were in the Manila Peninsula purely to fulfill their duties as journalists. We see no reason why our journalists have had to be handcuffed and detained along with Trillianes's group and remind the government that their actions are a grave and serious threat to Press Freedom and to the public's right to the Truth." - statement of ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs
“We are grateful that today’s incident at the Manila Peninsula was resolved with no bloodshed and with no loss of lives. Dialogue and peace-making prevailed over the dire prospect of violence and firefight. It is to the interest of the nation that the rule of law should always prevail in our people’s collective cry for reforms." - House Speaker Jose de Venecia
"I deeply regret the incident that has happened at the Manila Peninsula as it primarily puts people in harm’s way and, secondly, adversely affects the economic impetus that has been building up in the country which is good for the country particularly for the poor. Nobody wins in this kind of situation – not the people, not the institutions and not the instigators – the whole country loses!" - Sen. Richard Gordon
"Senator Trillanes? Well, he took his oath as senator to follow the Constitution, the duly-constituted authorities and to uphold the law.
People elected him to office on that basis. I guess we should take him to task for that." - Davao Rep. Prospero Nograles
“There is no need for this curfew, since Arroyo and the PNP leadership themselves have claimed that they have controlled the situation, after the group of Senator Antonio Trillanes peacefully left the hotel. Malacanang should recall this curfew imposition because is an overreaction and is a violation of human rights, likewise was the handcuffing of journalists who covered the crisis.” - Sen. Jinggoy Estrada
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(UPDATE) 53 Magdalo men home free for Christmas
Gonzalez, Velasco face contempt charges 
