Philippines coup leaders seek clemency

MANILA, Philippines, April 13 (UPI) -- Top Filipino military officials Sunday said there were sufficient grounds to grant clemency to the officers involved in a failed July 2003 coup.

Armed forces Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esporon and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said they recommend clemency to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo citing her national unity and reconciliation measures and a guilty plea and apology from the group, the Filipino radio and television ABS-CBN News reported.

On July 27, 2003, nine junior officers with the Philippines navy, including Capt. Gerardo Gambala and Capt. Milo Maestrecampo, the apparent ring leaders in the coup, took over The Oakwood apartment complex in the up-scale Makati City, rigging the area with explosives.

The officers served five years in prison for the coup attempt, during which Esporon said "they have shown remorse," The Philippine Daily Inquirer said.

Gambala issued a statement Friday on behalf of the group apologizing for the incident. He also denied changing his plea in exchange for a pardon.

"We know in our hearts that we are guilty and we accept the verdict of the court. We apologize to the people. We are applying for pardon," Gambala said.