By Dateline Philippines

Apr. 19, 2010

MANILA, Philippines – A freed Oakwood mutineer on Monday vowed to continue espousing the advocacy of the Magdalo group, but this time, through parliamentary means.

James Layug, former member of the elite Navy Special Warfare and Operations Group (Swag), is running for congressman in the 2nd district of Taguig City.  He is one of ten Oakwood mutineers ordered freed by the Armed Forces (AFP) leadership after a military tribunal issued a ‘time-served’ verdict in a plea bargain agreement.

“And this is why we will actively participate in the coming elections to forward our goals of changing and reforming the government in the parliamentary way,” Layug said in a statement, a day after he was released from military custody.

The other members of the Magdalo seeking public office are former Air Force Captain Ashley Acedillo who is running as representative in the 1st district of Cebu and Gary Alejano, a mayoral bet in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental.

“Sa aming paglaya ay dala namin ang commitment upang ipagpatuloy ang aming mga ipinaglabang adbokasiya sa Oakwood at isulong ang Bagong Pulitika [In our freedom, we bring with us our commitment to continue our advocacy in Oakwood and to push for new politics],” Layug said.

A product of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), Layug explained their “new politics” is anchored on the principles of nationalism, patriotism, idealism and altruism.

“Our politics will truly represent the voice of the people; (politics) that will fight for the interest of the nation, safeguard our environment and create faithful public servants,” Layug said.

Layug and Alejano were among the Magdalo members that were released from the ISAFP compound in Camp Aguinaldo. The other eight are still detained and awaiting bail at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame.

General Delfin Bangit, AFP chief, ordered the release of the 10 Magdalo soldiers on Sunday, a week after a military tribunal converted to “time served” the eight months prison term for the 10 soldiers who admitted before the tribunal that they were guilty of violating the Articles of War in connection with the Manila Penn siege in late 2007.

“I would like to give credit to the present AFP leadership for their professionalism in accepting and respecting the decision of the General Court Martial on our case,” Layug said.

Layug and several others have been in detention for six years and nine months since the short-lived Oakwood mutiny ended on July 27, 2003.

The other Magdalo soldiers awaiting bail are LTsg Eugene Gonzales, Ltsg Andy Torrato, LTsg Manuel Cabochan, Air Force Capt Dan Orfiano, LTjg Arturo Pascua, Air Force Lt Billy Pascua, Lt Jonneil Sangalang, and Lt Armand Pontejos. (Anthony Vargas)