Esperon accepts Langkit’s apology, says he could be a good public servant

By Ronron
March 1, 2007

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. has accepted the apology of Army Capt. Dante Langkit, one of the accused in the alleged February 2006 coup plot, but did not guarantee his request to leave detention will be granted.

In a chance interview at Camp Aguinaldo yesterday, Esperon said he has yet to read Langkit’s latter, which was received at his office last Wednesday, so he cannot immediately say whether or not to grant the alleged mutineer’s request for a temporary pass so he could he file his candidacy for Congressman in Kalinga province.

“Oh yeah. Who am I not to forgive? But this is no longer a personal matter. The rule of law, the military justice system has to take its due course,” Esperon said when asked if he accepts the apology of Langkit.

A former staff of Esperon, Langkit allegedly participated in the planning of the 2003 Oawkood Mutiny and in the alleged plan to takeover the Philippine Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City early last year as part of destabilization efforts against the Arroyo administration.

His February 21, 2007 letter indicated his intention to join “the democratic process,” which is the elections, so he could pursue his desire for reforms in government, which, he claims he could no longer do as a member of the military organization, considering his condition.

Esperon said Langkit’s asking of apology is even “very humbling” on his part and took it as “a complement,” being someone regarded as a father. He knows Langkit is “very sincere” when he made it, having known the junior officer when he was still with the Special Operations Command (SOCOM).

“Dante is a very kind, and he is a good officer, very good combat officer when he was the Operations Officer in my (term as chief of) SOCOM. He was really somebody to reckon with in terms of the operations of the Special Operations Command… I can’t help but talk of how good he was. Although, he just went to the wrong direction,” Esperon said.

He said that should Langkit wish to testify for the military against his fellow accused, then the AFP leadership will welcome that. But he clarified he has yet to ascertain if Langkit will make such move.

“Oh yes, he has a big heart for public service. He is a soldier,” Esperon said when asked if he thinks Langkit will be a good public servant.

But he said he has to assess what is “legally feasible” for Langkit’s request to leave detention from the Army’s Custodial Management Unit (CMU) facility at Fort Bonifacio.

“We must remember that the matter of running for public office is anybody’s call. If he is indeed qualified, then why not. I can even wish him luck in all his undertakings,” Esperon said.

“I’m looking at the legal implications of that. Once the General Court Martial (GCM) has taken cognizance of his case, he may not be allowed to campaign. He is restricted. I can restrict him,” he added.

Langkit is among the 28 officers due for arraignment before the GCM presided over by Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano in relation to Articles of War 67 (mutiny) and 96 (conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman) violations for allegedly planning the supposed February 2006 coup plot./DMS