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Aquino grants amnesty to rebel soldiers

President Barack Obama (2ndR) attends a working luncheon with ASEAN leaders Vietnam President Nguyen Minh Triet (L), President of the Philippines Benigno Aquino III (2ndL) and Prime Minister of Malaysia Najib Razak September 24, 2010 in New York City. Obama has been in New York since Wednesday attending the annual General Assembly at the United Nations, where yesterday he stressed the need for a resolution between Israel and Palestine, and a renewed international effort to keep Iran from attaining nuclear weapons. UPI/Spencer Platt/POOL
President Barack Obama (2ndR) attends a working luncheon with ASEAN leaders Vietnam President Nguyen Minh Triet (L), President of the Philippines Benigno Aquino III (2ndL) and Prime Minister of Malaysia Najib Razak September 24, 2010 in New York City. Obama has been in New York since Wednesday attending the annual General Assembly at the United Nations, where yesterday he stressed the need for a resolution between Israel and Palestine, and a renewed international effort to keep Iran from attaining nuclear weapons. UPI/Spencer Platt/POOL | License Photo

MANILA, Philippines, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- Philippine President Benigno Aquino III said Tuesday he is granting amnesty to rebel soldiers and officers involved in the 2003 and 2006 military uprisings.

Aquino said a signed amnesty proclamation has been submitted to the Philippine Congress for its approval, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported.

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The grant of amnesty covers all active and former personnel of the Philippine Armed Forces, as well as their supporters, who took part in the 2003 Oakwood mutiny and the 2006 Marine standoff.

It also covers the November 2007 Manila Peninsula siege and related incidents.

Aquino told reporters detained Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV would be covered by the amnesty proclamation.

When he was a Navy officer, Trillanes led a band of soldiers who took over the Oakwood Apartments in Makati City in 2003 to demand the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

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