BY VICTOR REYES
MARINES Col. Ariel Querubin was released yesterday from detention in Camp Aguinaldo and turned over to the custodial care of Brig. Gen. Reynaldo Ordoñez, chief of the Philippine Defense Reform office.
The release order was based on the provisional liberty signed by AFP chief Lt. Gen. Ricardo David Tuesday night.
Querubin, a recipient of the Medal of Valor, left detention at around noontime. He and dozens of Marines and Army officers were detained after figuring in an alleged plot to oust Arroyo in February 2006. He and the remaining accused are charged with violation of the Article of War 67 or mutiny.
Querubin’s release came 59 days after that of his co-accused, former Scout Ranger chief Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim who is also under Ordoñez’ custodial care.
Lim was released on a request he made to former AFP chief Gen. Delfin Bangit.
Querubin said he was supposed to be released July 17 but the condition was that he had to request his release.
“The other Saturday, they gave a release order. But I did not accept it because it was stated there that I requested for it,” he said.
During Bangit’s time, he said, the AFP leadership sent word he would be released if he submitted a letter-request to Bangit.
Querubin said he rejected it, adding he would rather wait for the resolution of his case.
Bangit went on early retirement before President Aquino, who said he would not be retained as AFP chief, was inaugurated on June 30.
Querubin said the military again talked to him after Aquino assumed the presidency. Again, he told the military he was not amenable to writing a request for his liberty.
“The only thing left with me is my dignity and pride. I don’t want to write (the request). I don’t want to beg. If you believe that I have not committed a crime, then release me,” he said.
His release, finally, was an initiative of the Armed Forces leadership, specifically David.
Querubin said he was summoned by David to his office Thursday last week to discuss a number of things, including the provisional liberty that would be given to him.
“We talked, and for the first time after four-and-a-half years, I had this sense of belongingness to the Armed Forces because I saw their sincerity to help us,” he said.
He said his release is “a step closer to the justice that we are all wanting.”
“This is a welcome move, a welcome initiative from the AFP leadership in offering the olive branch and heeding the call of the new administration. As I said, this a step closer to the justice that we are asking because that is what they (Aquino administration) are saying – correct the injustice against us,” he said.