OAKWOOD MUTINY
Last updated: July 20, 2007

BACKGROUNDER

MAGDALO'S ACCUSATIONS

• The Arroyo Administration sold arms and ammunitions to enemy groups as the soldiers continued to defend the government; the 30-year war against such groups as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Abu Sayyaf, and the New People's Army (NPA) was being used by corrupt officials to enrich themselves
   

• The Arroyo administration ordered the bombings in Davao City through the special operations team of Secretary Reyes and General Corpus, and then ascribed these bombings to the MILF so that President Arroyo's request for more anti-terrorist support from the United States would be strengthened
   

• The Arroyo administration planned to declare Martial Law in August 2003 after a period of planned bombings all over Metro Manila, which would be attributed to various enemy groups

MAGDALO'S DEMANDS

• the resignation of the leaders of the Arroyo administration - immediate removal from office of Reyes, Corpus and Ebdane, who were perceived as incompetent or irresponsible in their respective commands
   

• implementation of the National Recovery Program, which is the only "true solution" to the primary problems that beset the country

GRIEVANCES /
SPECIFIC ISSUES RAISED

• corruption in the government, including the AFP and PNP

• corrupt and self-serving politicians

• disparity in salaries of AFP and PNP personnel

• funds that do not flow down to operating units and troops

• the powerful "comptroller family" that controls and manipulates funds, and enjoys promotions and juicy positions

• the big difference between the Army's combat pay and the Air Force's flying pay

• "militics" and patronage leadership in the AFP hierarchy

• "micromanagement by the Secretary of National Defense

• insufficient supply of medicines at the AFP Medical Center

• More than 300 junior officers and enlisted men took over the Oakwood Premier in the Ayala Center, Makati City on July 27, 2003.
   

• They were led by Navy Ltsg. Antonio Trillanes IV, Army Capt. Gerardo Gambala, Army Capt. Milo Maestrecampo, Navy Ltsg. James Layug and Marine Capt. Gary Alejano.
   

• The soldiers, who became known as the Magdalo group, claimed that the take-over of Oakwood was spontaneous; they had simply intended to air their grievances against the government, including graft and corruption in the military. The Feliciano Commission was created to look into the Oakwood Mutiny and the mutineers' grievances.
   

• A little over a year later (September 24, 2004), the mutineers' leaders apologized to President Arroyo and took back their accusations against top AFP officials.
   

• A number of the mutineers have been released since their detention in 2003. The last batch, composed of 180+ soldiers, were freed in May 2005.
   

•  Some of the mutineers escaped military custody.
   

TIMELINE: EVENTS LEADING UP TO OAKWOOD

• Rumors had been spreading that some military personnel were inquiring about the grievances of members of the armed forces.
   
• Talks about recruitment from the ranks of the discontented and potential rebels in the military were heard from former members of the Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM) and junior officers in the military.

June 2003

• [June 4, 12]Bloodletting rituals and gripe sessions took place in San Juan. Sen. Gregorio Honasan was allegedly present in both instances.
   
• [June 4] Navy Ensign Armand Pontejos, one of the mutineers, went to the International Flag House in Manila and placed a job order for 100pcs each of Philippine flags and Bonifacio flags. Subsequent additional orders raised the total cost to P45,000.00.
   
• [June 12]In meeting in San Juan, the plotters planned to attack high-impact targets such as Malacañang Palace, Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Fort Bonifacio, Camp Crame, Villamor Airbase, Camp Aguinaldo, and all television and radio stations in Metro Manila.
   
• [June 30] Navy Lt. Manuel Cabochan, another mutineer, bought 49 sets of battle dress attire (BDA) uniforms, t-shirts, and combat boots worth P108,780.00 from EREV Military Supply and General Merchandise.

July 2003

• [July 11-23]A series of meetings organized to ensure security during President Arroyo's State of the Nation Address (SONA), were held.

Details of the recruitment by the Magdalo group were discussed and reported to National Security Adviser Roilo Golez.

President Arroyo was informed about persistent reports of rebel recruitment activities in the AFP and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

PNP Chief Director Gen. Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. ordered all field commanders to investigate any unauthorized movements.

• [July 12] The intelligence group informed President Arroyo about persistent reports of rebel recruitment activities in the AFP and the Philippine National Police, Particularly in Mindanao, Central Luzon, and Metro Manila.
   
• [July 13] Trillanes brought up the problem of corruption with President Arroyo during a meeting. It was during this meeting when President Arroyo allegedly scolded Trillanes instead of listening to him. Malacañang, however, refuted this claim and described the conversation between the President and Trillanes as "cordial". 
   
• [July 19] Gambala checked in at Oakwood under the name of George Uy.
   
• [July 23] About 100 members of PMA '94 and '95 had dinner and a photo opportunity with President Arroyo in Malacañang

Francisco Dimaculangan and Isidro Samaco purchased five Hyundai aerobuses worth P2.10 million from Car Option Sales, Inc. One bus was later found in Oakwood while another was abandoned in Binakayan, Cavite.

• [July 24-25] President Arroyo attended a military event and visited a military unit as part of the effort to neutralize the coup threat. AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Narciso Abaya also made rounds of other units where restiveness had been reported.
   
• [July 25]Troop movements actually occurred.

July 26, 2003

• early morning: the 10 suspected leaders declared unaccounted for by the AFP were identified: Trillanes, Layug, Gambala Maestrocampo; Army officers Capt. Lawrence Louis Somera, Capt. Albert Baloloy, 1/Lt. Lawrence San Juan, 1/Lt. FLorentino Somera, 1/Lt. Jose Enrico Demetrio Dingle, and 1/Lt. Waren Lee Dagupon.
   
• 12 NN: PNP Full alert status nationwide took effect.
   
• 5:00 PM: President Arroyo convened a full cabinet meeting on the looming coup plot.
   
• around 8:00 PM: President Arroyo publicly announced in the media that "a small band of rogue junior officers and soldiers had deserted their posts and illegally brought weapons with them." President Arroyo ordered the arrest of the junior officers who had deserted their posts.
   
• around 10:00 PM: PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) operatives and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents were dispatched to Dasmariñas Village, Makati upon the reported presence of heavily armed men in military uniform in the area.

around 1:00 AM
300+ soldiers wearing red arm bands quietly entered the premises of Ayala Center in several groups. The soldiers disarmed the security guards and took over Oakwood. They planted claymore mines around the building and in the vicinity as snipers were positioned at the Oakwood roof deck.

3:00 AM
The President met with the AFP top brass and key Cabinet officials. Troops securing Malacanang, particularly the Presidential Security Group, wrapped blue bands around their arms.(PDI)

3:20 AM
The rebels' "perimeter security" in the Ayala Center was in place, and an officer issued a threat to set off the explosives should government troops attack. (PDI)

around 3:30 AM
Some motorists and late-night shoppers finally realized something unusual was going on. Rebel soldiers directed traffic and kept dumbfounded motorists out of the area. A closed van failed to notice the restrictions, drove straight into the area, and ran over a sign post erected by the rebels. A rebel soldier fired a warning shot. (PDI)

between 4:00 and 5:00 AM
The rebel officers arranged to go on air. In a public statement, the rebels declared their withdrawal of support from the chain of command and presented their grievances against the Arroyo government. They demanded the resignation of the Arroyo administration leaders and endorsed the NRP as the solution to the country's problems.

at dawn
Alex Benasin, a resident of the Baseco compound at the Port Area, was busy recruiting residents of the compound to go to Oakwood for a consideration of P300.00 each.

around 8:00 AM
Malacanang began a marathon press briefing aired live on TV, where more than 50 politicians, including senators, congressmen and mayors, took turns expressing support to President Arroyo and appealing to the junior officers to lay down their arms. (PDI)

8:30 AM
Members of the Philippine Guardians Brotherhood, Inc. (PGBI) carrying banners of the NRP were seen in the Makati area, but the PNP prevented them from reaching and camping in the vicinity of Oakwood. 

9:40 AM
President Arroyo gave the soldiers a 5:00 PM deadline to give up their positions peacefully and return to barracks. (read President Arroyo's statement)

around 9:40 AM
Deposed President Joseph Estrada was transferred from the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC)-- a precautionary measure, the Palace explained some two hours later. (PDI)

10:00 AM
Navy Ltsg. Antonio Trillanes, the leader of the renegade soldiers, said they are not negotiating with the government. He told ABS-CBN in a phone interview from Oakwood the rebel officers do not expect to get a "proper forum" when "the President and the AFP leadership" are the object of their complaint. (PDI)

1:00 PM
President Arroyo declared a "state of rebellion" (Proclamation No. 427) and issued an order (General Order No. 4) to use reasonable force in putting down the rebellion.

before 3:00 PM
Estrada was transferred back to the VMMC. (PDI)

around 4:20 PM
Rebel officers held another public airing of their grievances. By that time, 25 rebel soldiers had surrendered to the Task Force Libra in two batches. The Magdalo group downplayed the surrender as part of the government's "psywar" operation.

Sen. Honasan arrived in Makati. Wanting to "talk sense to the rebels," he met with Malacañang officials Senior Deputy Chief of Staff Renato Velasco, Secretaries Silvestre Afable and Rigoberto Tiglao, and Housing Sec. Michael Defensor.

Within the afternoon, other military officers and government officials also joined the dialogues at Oakwood: Commo. Tirso Danga, Air Force Col. Eduardo Oban, Jr., Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, Rep. Rozanno Biazon, and Sen. Vicente Sotto III

shortly before 5:00 PM
President Arroyo extended the 5:00 PM deadline to 7:00 PM.

around 7:00 PM
Negotiations between the rebel soldiers and the government team led by chief negotiator Ambassador Roy Cimatu, extended the deadline indefinitely.

9:30 PM
The rebel soldiers and the government reached an agreement.

10:00 PM
President Arroyo announced that the occupation of Oakwood was over. The rebels agreed to return to barracks and were out of the Oakwood premises by 11:00 PM.

TIMELINE: POST-OAKWOOD EVENTS

August 1, 2003: The Department of Justice charged 321 Oakwood mutineers with violation of Article 134-A (coup d' etat) of the Revised Penal Code before the Makati Regional Trial Court.

August 11, 2003: President Arroyo issued Proclamation No. 435 lifting the declaration of a "state of rebellion". (Proclamation No. 435)

September 18, 2003: President Arroyo created an independent fact-finding commission to investigate allegations of military involvement in the March 4, April 2 and April 3, 2003 bombings in Davao City. Rev. Fr. Pedro Maniwang, parochial vicar of Sta. Ana parish in Davao City, was named chair (Maniwang Commission). (AO 84)

October 17, 2003: The Feliciano Commission came out with its report on the Oakwood Mutiny.

November 1, 2003: Upon the recommendation of the AFP pre-investigation panel, President Arroyo ordered the release of 133 officers and soldiers who were found to have been misled into joining the Oakwood Mutiny.

The panel also recommended the filing of charges before a general court martial against a total of 270 military personnel for alleged complicity in the commission of offenses of mutiny (AW 67), disrespect toward the President, the Defense Secretary, among others (AW 63), disrespect toward superior officers (AW 64), conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman (AW 96, and conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline (AW 97). (OP)

February 3, 2004: SC upheld President Arroyo's declaration of state of rebellion during the Oakwood Mutiny. (SC PIO)

March 4, 2004: The Maniwang Commission cleared former Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes and Brig. Gen. Victor Corpus of any involvement in the Sasa Wharf Seaport and Davao International Airport bombings. (OP)

March 16, 2004: Twelve junior officers implicated in the Oakwood mutiny were ordered released from military custody. Charges against them were dismissed for lack of evidence. (Star, Manila Standard)

Also, the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order on the conduct of the general court martial proceedings.

The defense had earlier filed petitions assailing the military court's jurisdiction to conduct court martial proceedings against the mutineers. (SC PIO)

July 2004: Makati RTC Branch 148 Judge Oscar Pimentel allowed 27 members of the Magdalo group to post bail; however, they remained in detention because they were still facing charges in the military court. (AFP PIO, Inquirer)

September 21, 2004: Marine 2/Lt. Junniebert Tubo (PMA Class 2003) managed to escape from his escorts while he was being transferred from a minimum security to a maximum security cell inside Fort Bonifacio.

He surrendered to military officials at Camp Aguinaldo on September 23, 2004.

September 24, 2004: Six Magdalo leaders (Captains Gerardo Gambala, Milo Maestrecampo, Gary Alejano, and Nicanor Faeldon; Lieutenants James Layug and Antonio Trillanes) apologized to President Arroyo for their action.

They also cleared DILG Sec. Angelo Reyes and retired B/Gen. Victor Corpus of involvement in the Davao City bombings; and PNP C/Gen. Hermogenes Ebdane whom they implicated in the escape of terrorist Al Ghozi from detention in Camp Crame. (OP, Inquirer)

October 25, 2004: The Supreme Court decided that the general court martial has jurisdiction over the charges of violations of the Articles of War in connection with the Oakwood Mutiny. (SC PIO)

May 20, 2005: AFP released 180+ Oakwood mutineers from detention.

The accused soldiers pleaded guilty on charges of violating AW 63 (disrespect toward the President); AW 67 (disrespect toward a superior officer); and AW 97 (disorders and neglects to the prejudice of good order and military discipline); in return, the prosecution dropped the mutiny charges (AW 67) against them, wherein the maximum penalty is death. (OP)

The soldiers were released following the general court martial recommendation for a “one-year confinement with hard labor,” a sentence that they have already served during their two-year detention. The recommendation also included a three-rank demotion (reduction in their salaries effective July 1, 2005). (AFP PIO)

October 2005:  Gambala, Maestrocampo and 11 other mutineers had pledged their support for President Arroyo in a "manifesto of support". (Note: News came out in October, but a Manila Times article mentioned that the manifesto was signed in September) (iNEWS, Manila Times)

December 14, 2005: Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon escaped from the Makati Regional Trial Court where he was attending a hearing on the Oakwood Mutiny case. (QS)

January 17, 2006: Four more Oakwood mutineers (Capt. Nathaniel Rabonza, 1/Lt. Sonny Sarmiento, 1/Lt. Patricio Bumindang, Jr., and 1/Lt. Lawrence San Juan) escaped military custody at Fort Bonifacio. (QS)

January 18, 2006:  2Lt Aldrin Baldonado, who was among those implicated in the Oakwood mutiny, escaped from the Custodial Management Unit (CMU) building around 9 p.m., hours after he was placed under arrest, and a day after four Magdalo officers escaped. "Ako po ay ikinulong at tumakas sa CMU noon Miyerkules ng gabi…sa gitna ng pinahigpit na seguridad sa kampo dahil sa pagkatakas ng apat na Magdalo soldiers noon Martes ng gabi," he said in the two-page letter to Atty. Roel Pulido. (Malaya)

But the AFP said he is not detained but was only placed under the custody of his Major Service Commander. "The AFP clarifies that 2Lt Baldonado has gone AWOL from Jan 5 - 15 and is being investigated because of it," a statement posted on the AFP website said. (AFP website)

January 25, 2006: The Philippine Army PIO said that another Lt. Angelbert Gay, another soldier implicated in the Oakwood mutiny, had been AWOL since January 16. (iNEWS)

February 21, 2006: 1Lt San Juan was captured by PNP personnel in Barangay San Felipe in Padre Garcia, Batangas. (AFP PIO)

July 7, 2006: Government forces arrested six soldiers and a lawyer around 5:30 a.m. at Filinvest 2 Subdivision in Quezon City. Arrested were:

• Navy LtJg Kiram Sadava
• Captain Nathaniel Rabonza
• 1st Lt. Patricio Bumidang
• 1st Lt. Sonny Sarmiento
• Army 2nd Lt. Aldrin Baldonado
• Army 2nd Lt. Angelbert Gay
• Michael Yangson
• Atty. Christopher Belmonte
  (iNEWS)

July 14, 2006: The AFP presented San Juan to the media. He reaffirmed his loyalty to the Chain of Command and the leadership of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo: "I, First Lieutenant Lawrence R. San Juan, am breaking away from the Magdalo and the Makabayang Kawal Pilipino (MKP) and am reaffirming my allegiance to the Armed Forces." (GMANews.tv)

August 8, 2006: The prosecution presented before the court the arms, ammunition, and other evidences  recovered a day after the mutiny from the Magdalo soldiers' hideout in Dasmarinas Village, Makati. The house is allegedly owned by former Executive Secretary Ramon Cardenas . (iNEWS)

August 10, 2006: In a 17-page decision penned by Justice Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez, the Court dismissed the petition for prohibition filed by Lt. (SG) Eugene Gonzales, Lt. (SG) Antonio Trillanes IV, and company. This paved the way for the prosecution by the general court martial of the 29 junior officers and soldiers who staged the mutiny. (iNEWS)

August 16, 2006 : A Quezon City court entered a not guilty plea for Army Capt. Nathaniel Rabonza, who is charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives before the sala of Judge Rosana Fe Maglaya of the QC regional trial court-Branch 88. (iNEWS)

October 24, 2006: Nine Magdalo soldiers were released:

• Sgt. Michael Llamas
• Sgt. Dante Bulauan
• Cpl. Ramon Pedregoza
• Cpl. Alberto Garde
• Cpl. Jonathan Calcaba
• Cpl. Arnold Gregorio
• Pfc. Ronnie Cabalterra
• Pfc. Marlon Cezar
• Pfc. Ian Matimatico

Esperon earlier approved the recommendation of the special adjudication board to free the nine soldiers for insufficiency of evidence against them.  (iNEWS)

November 15, 2006: Honasan, alleged mastermind of the Oakwood mutiny, was arrested at the Enclave in Greenmeadows Subdivision, Quezon City.  (iNEWS)

November 22, 2006: Trillanes said Honasan has nothing to do with the Oakwood mutiny, which he said was "solely our own."  (iNEWS)

November 22, 2006:  The military court ordered the release of Army Cpl. Jesus Molon Jr. and Army Pfc. Winston Iponia, who pleaded guilty to some of the offenses filed against them. They pleaded guilty to lower offenses in the Articles of War in exchange for dropping of the mutiny charge against them before the general court martial.

The court sentenced the two to one year imprisonment on top of demotion and pay cuts. Molon was ordered demoted two ranks with two-thirds of his pay for three months be forfeited, while Iponia was meted a one rank demotion and two-thirds of his pay for four months will be forfeited. (GMANews.tv)

February 6, 2007: Trillanes filed his certificate of candidacy for senator at the Comelec office in Manila. (GMANews.tv)

March 8, 2007: San Juan formalized Thursday his guilty plea on lesser offense of conspiracy. In a five-page motion to change plea filed through his lawyer Roberto San Jose, San Juan also asked the Makati RTC Branch 148 Judge Oscar Pimentel to allow him to withdraw his earlier plea of not guilty that was filed by the Department of Justice against him on Oct. 20, 2003.

April 11, 2007: The military court cleared of all charges for lack of probable cause junior officers 2nd Lieutenants Percival Acanar and Gerald Daen, and 1st Lieutenants Edmun Bandilla and Marcelino Mendoza were cleared of all charges against , a military prosecutor said Wednesday. The court said the four junior officers would be restored to full duty status, pending administrative concerns such as counseling.

Meanwhile, 54 junior military officers were sentenced t to seven years and six months for joining Oakwood mutiny, but a plea bargaining agreement entered into by the defense and prosecution panels would pave the way for the release of the said officers on January 27 next year.

The officers pleaded guilty to charges of violating AWr 97 (conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline) in exchange for the dropping of other charges against them: AW 63 (disrespect toward the President, Vice President, members of Congress and the Secretary of National Defense); 64 (disrespect toward a superior officer); AW 67 (mutiny or sedition); and AW 96 (conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman).

The plea bargain excluded 29 other officers including the hardcore leaders of the Magdalo group: Trillanes, Gambala, Maestrocampo, and Faeldon. Five other officers also decided not to join the plea bargain agreement: 2Lt. Junebert Tubo, 2Lt. Edwin Tuwitao, 2Lt. Jason Panaligan, 2Lt. Christopher Orongan and 2Lt. Alcuin Canson. (GMANews.tv)

June 22, 2007: Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez issued a resolution dropping the coup d’etat charges against Honasan for insufficiency of evidence. (GMANews.tv)

June 28, 2007: Honasan took his oath as a senator at the Supreme Court in Manila. (GMANews.tv)

June 29, 2007: Trillanes took his oath as senator before a village chief in Caloocan City. (GMANews.tv)

July 4, 2007: The military announced that Pres. Arroyo has approved the Armed Forces general court martial’s guilty verdict on 54 junior officers. (GMANews.tv)

July 10, 2007: Twelve junior Army officers facing court martial pleaded guilty, changing the earlier not guilty plea entered by the court on their behalf at the start of the court martial proceedings against them more than two years ago. They were Captains Milo Maestrecampo, Gerardo Gambala, Albert Baloloy, and John Andres; and First Lieutenants Florentino Somera, Cleo Dengaas, Audie Tucloy, Vonreo Tayab and Rex Bolo. (GMANews.tv)

July 13, 2007: The Makati RTC Branch 148 under Judge Oscar Pimentel threw out the coup d’etat charges filed by the DOJ against Senator Gregorio “Gringo" Honasan and ordered  the Bureau of Immigration to lift the hold departure order against Honasan. Pimentel also ordered the immediate withdrawal of the P300,000 cash bond posted by Honasan.

I would like to address this message directly to the soldiers in Makati

This is your Commander in Chief.

I would like you remind you that there is absolutely no justification for the actions you have taken.

You have crossed the line of professionalism and are now engaged in unlawful political action backed by the use of force.

Your actions are already hovering at the fringes of outright terrorism. You will find no support for your actions among our people and the world.

I asked you to remember your oath to the flag. You have already stained the uniform. Do not drench it with dishonor I ask others in the Armed Forces to keep to the constitutional side of the line.

I am duty bound, under the same oath you took, to uphold the Constitution at all times. For this reason, I am giving you up to five o’clock this afternoon to stand down, surrender down your weapons and return to barracks.

Past this deadline, the Chief of Staff is authorized to use reasonable force to dislodge your group quickly and efficiently, and arrest you. I urge you, in the interest of those who still believe in your cause, to make the right decision now.

Even if you think you can gain political power in this way, which you cannot, you will realize that there is no substitute for democracy and constitutional means to solve the problems of our people. Do not believe that force will change our nation overnight

I do not take this assault on our Constitution personally. I have no personal rancor against anyone of you. I am sad that your career has gone astray and to waste, in this manner. I hope there is still time to repair it. I pray that God will extend to you his supreme guidance.

PROCLAMATION NO. 427
DECLARING A STATE OF REBELLION

WHEREAS, certain elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, armed with high-powered firearms and explosives, acting upon the instigation and command and direction of known and unknown leaders, have seized a building in Makati City, put bombs in the area, publicly declared withdrawal of support for, and took arms against the duly constituted Government, and continue to rise publicly and show open hostility, for the purpose of removing allegiance to the Government certain bodies of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, and depriving the President of the Republic of the Philippines, wholly or partially, of her powers and prerogatives which constitute the crime of rebellion punishable under Article 134 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended;

WHEREAS, these misguided elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines are being supported, abetted and aided by known and unknown leaders, conspirators and plotters in the government service and outside the government;

WHEREAS, under Section 18, Article VII of the present Constitution, whenever it becomes necessary, the President, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, may call out such Armed Forces to suppress the rebellion;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, hereby confirm the existence of an actual and on-going rebellion, compelling me to declare a state of rebellion.

In view of the foregoing, I am issuing General Order No. 4 in accordance with Section 18, Article VII of the Constitution, calling out the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to immediately carry out the necessary actions and measures to suppress and quell the rebellion with due regard to constitutional rights.

GENERAL ORDER NO. 4
DIRECTING THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES AND
THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE TO SUPPRESS REBELLION

WHEREAS, certain elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, armed with high-powered firearms and explosives, acting upon the instigation and command and direction of known and unknown leaders, have seized a building in Makati City, put bombs in the area, publicly declared withdrawal of support for, and took arms against the duly constituted Government, and continue to rise publicly and show open hostility, for the purpose of removing allegiance to the Government certain bodies of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, and depriving the President of the Republic of the Philippines, wholly or partially, of her powers and prerogatives which constitute the crime of rebellion punishable under Article 134 et seq. of the Revised Penal Code, as amended;

WHEREAS, these misguided elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines are being supported, abetted and aided by known and unknown leaders, conspirators and plotters in the government service and outside the government;

WHEREAS, under Section 18, Article VII of the present Constitution, whenever it becomes necessary, the President, as the Commander-in-Chief of all Armed Forces of the Philippines, may call out such Armed Forces to suppress the rebellion;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution as President of the Republic of the Philippines and Commander-in-Chief of all the armed forces of the Philippines and pursuant to Proclamation No. 427 dated July 27, 2003, do hereby call upon the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to suppress and quell the rebellion.

I hereby direct the Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Chief of the Philippine National Police and the officers and men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to immediately carry out the necessary and appropriate actions and measures to suppress and quell the rebellion with due regard to constitutional rights.