The Army's 3rd Infantry Division with troops stationed in Negros, Panay, Cebu and Bohol headed by Maj. Gen. Jovenal Narcise yesterday congratulated Oakwood mutiny leader and Senator-elect Antonio Trillanes for his victory.

"We are hopeful that the AFP bills unrealized in the 13th Congress will be studied by him and other senators," Lt. Col. David Tan, 3rd ID spokesman, said.

Trillanes, a former Nay lieutenant, is facing charges for leading a mutiny in 2003 to oust President Gloria-Macapagal-Arroyo and the military leadership. He and a group of fellow junior officers are being tried in civilian and military courts for rebellion and mutiny.

He was sworn in as a senator yesterday after winning a seat in recent elections.

AFP chief of staff Hermogenes Esperon said the proclamation of Trillanes will not affect the charges against him. " Election does not change your status as a respondent. It does not extinguish your criminal or civil liberties," Esperon said.

Trillanes said he will conduct a Senate inquiry on alleged AFP death squads.

Tan said, "We are open to it just like the Melo Commission". However, he added, they hope that it will be done impartially and objectively, and not merely be a concession to militant groups, which reportedly campaigned for him (Trillanes).

"We hope his advocacy will include soldiers and policemen who were murdered by the New People's Army," he added.

Trillanes had previously said that, if elected, he would seek the impeachment for corruption of Arroyo.

Esperon said that since Trillanes' offence was non-bailable, the mutineer would need his permission to attend Senate sessions.

Trillanes said he would ask the courts to grant him permission to attend such sessions and hearings in the Senate while in detention. Ex-army colonel Gregorio Honasan, who allegedly provided tactical guidance for the mutineers, was among senators proclaimed last week.

Honasan is also being tried for the mutiny, although a civilian court on Thursday deferred his arraignment while awaiting a decision on an appeal filed before the Justice Department. *GPB/AFP

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