Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano yesterday dismissed as mere “speculations” talk that Negrense Army Capt. Milo Maestrecampo and eight others convicted for  a failed coup  by a Makati City court, may avail of pardon.

Yano who is expected to replace Gen. Hermogenes Esperon as Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff next month, said, “If there are such thinking (sic), it’s a speculation…nothing as facts as of now”.

“That is a political issue… it is not for us to decide,” he said.

Maestrecampo, a Talisay resident, and Capt. Gerardo Gambala were sentenced to life imprisonment Tuesday by Makati Judge Oscar Pimentel who had found them guilty of coup d’etat, while seven others got a maximum of 12 years of imprisonment, after pleading guilty to the offense as charged.

Yano, who visited Army units in Negros island, recently said “The verdict goes to show that the justice system is working and military adventurism does not pay”.

While it may be harsh to others, Yano added, “That is the decision of the court. It only goes to show how serious the offense is”.

Esperon had earlier said a presidential pardon is possible for Maestrecampo and eight others, while Malacañang gave a hint that it is open to the granting of executive clemency to them.

Esperon, however, was quick to add that he would not recommend pardon unless he gets a clear signal from President Gloria Arroyo.

Yano said, “The recent court decision will remind our soldiers that it does not pay to go against the duly-constituted authorities”.

“We have made it clear to our soldiers that military adventurism should be stopped and it is not part of any professional military organization,” he added.

As to threats of Magdalo soldiers and their allied groups to destabilize the government anew, Yano said they have not monitored any as of this time.

He, however, said “We are continuing making rounds to military units, if only to remind them.”

Yano also called on Bishop Vicente Navarra and Negros Occidental Governor Isidro Zayco before returning to Manila yesterday.*GPB

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