AFP mulls sedition charges against Aparri for attempting to recruit military officers in destab efforts against the government

By Ronron
March 6, 2008

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. said Thursday that they are considering the possible filing of sedition charge against retired Commodore Ismael Aparri and other retired military officers who allegedly attempted to recruit active servicemen for destabilization moves against the government.

Esperon had identified Aparri as among those who approached the National ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Course) Alumni Association (NARAA) to solicit support allegedly in their fight against the Arroyo administration, particularly last February 29 when a mass gathering was held in Makati City to call for the ouster of the President.

“We are looking into the possibility of charging them with inciting to sedition or similar offenses,” Esperon said in an interview.

“Our legal teams will be looking into that,” he added.

In a news conference yesterday at Camp Aguinaldo, NARAA President Brig. Gen. Jerry Jalandoni, the AFP deputy chief of staff for logistics, said Aparri attempted to recruit twice – the first in January, and the second was third week of February.

“He has approached the Navy chapter of NARAA under Commodore Amado Sanglay (retired), also the NARAA Chairman, prior to the February 29 Makati rally, but he was outrightly rejected,” Jalandoni said.

Jalandoni said Aparri tried to get their support for the fight of his organization, YES-ARMS (Young Enlisted Soldiers – Active and Retired Military and Police for Solidarity), against the Arroyo government and “most probably” to get some NARAA members join the February 29 rally.

Following Aparri’s visits at the Navy chapter of NARAA in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Jalandoni said he “urged the 15,000 NARAA members and the nation’s half-a-million reservists to remain steadfast and carry out our mandated Constitutional role.”

Aparri has denied the allegation./DMS