By Zaff Solmerin

BEMEDALLED Marine Col. Ariel Querubin walked out to freedom on Wednesday after more than four years of incarceration in connection with the February 26, 2006 Marines standoff at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City that was allegedly aimed to topple the administration of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Interviewed through his mobile phone while waiting for his release from detention at the Custodial Center inside the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) in Camp Aguinaldo, Querubin immediately clarified that he did not ask for his release.

Querubin walked out from his detention cell before noon. He was fetched by his wife Maria Flor and children.

“It was the decision of the chief of staff to release me,” said Querubin, a Medal of Valor awardee, referring to Gen. Ricardo David Jr., adding he will also take it as a form of gratitude on the part of David.

“Hindi ko tatanawin na utang na loob kasi sabi ko nga kung yung Manila Pen nag-plead guilty [ang mga nasangkot], they were given eight months [jail term]. Sa akin kahit na sabihin mo mag-plead guilty ako sa kaso na ‘to, what will they give me, two months. More than four years na akong nakakulong. Sabi ko nga ito ay step closer to the justice na hinihingi namin dahil ‘yun naman ang sinasabi nila e, i-correct yung injustice na nangyari sa amin,” he said.

AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Jose Mabanta Jr., in a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo, confirmed Querubin’s release may be a “special case” compared to other detained officers who had asked for their release under the condition of “provisional liberty”.

“It’s a step closer to the justice that we are all wanting. This is a welcome move from the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) leadership in offering the olive branch and heading the call of the new administration,” Querubin said, in describing his freedom.

Surprisingly, however, Querubin’s release appeared to be just a “ceremonial walk to freedom” for the purpose of press coverage because reliable sources said he and other detained officers were already transferred and “restricted to camp” at the Marine headquarters during the time of former AFP chief Gen. Victor Ibrado.

Regardless of the manner of his release, Querubin, however, is not totally free because he is still subject with the military security rules and regulations as provided by the “provisional liberty” condition granted to him.

Custody of Querubin is transferred to Brig. Gen. Reynaldo Ordonez, chief of the AFP’s Office of the Defense Reforms.

“Brig. Gen. ordonez will take full charge and responsibility for the custody of Ex-Marine Col Querubin and that of his production when so required by the court. He is also directed with utmost diligence to secure Querubin and prevent his escape otherwise be held accountable for any violation of the pertinent provisions of the Articles of War among others, AW 74 (Releasing Prisoner Without Proper Authority) and other applicable provisions of the Revised Penal Code on Infidelity on the Custody of Prisoners,” David said.

Querubin was facing charges for alleged violation of the AW 67 (Attempting to Create or Begin, Excite, Cause or Join Mutiny).

He said that on June 1 Ordonez went to his “house” and conveyed the offer to release him “provided I will write the chief of staff, so I declined”.

“I told him I would rather wait for my case to be resolved because I’m confident it would be dismissed so that I can move on, especially our junior officers for them to rebuild their own careers,” Querubin.

On June 30, Querubin and Ordonez met.

“Gen. Ordonez asked me again how he can help me. I told him konti na lang naiwan sa akin, ‘yung dignity at pride ko, ayaw kong sumulat, ayaw
kong magmakaawa, kasi kung alam ninyo na wala akong kasalanan then i-release niyo ako,” he said.

Then on July 17, Querubin said he received a copy of a release order from David but he did not accept it. In order, he has to make it clear that he asked for “provisional liberty”.

Last Thursday, July 22, Querubin said he was called to the office of David.

“My meeting with the chief of staff last Thursday in his office was very cordial. We talked and for the first time after four-and-a-half years, it was only now that felt a sense of belongingness in the Armed Forces because of their sincerity to help me out of detention,” he said.

But he did not disclose details of the meeting.

“After the talk they became lenient on me,” Querubin said.

In the same briefing, Mabanta also disclosed that even former Marine commandant Maj. Gen, Renato Miranda, formerly detained inside the ISAFP compound, had already been released from detention, a few days after the release of former Scout Ranger Regiment commander Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim from the Custodial Center of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Camp Crame.

Mabanta said both Miranda and Lim were covered by “provisional liberty” and they had asked for it.

Miranda was under the custody of Marine Commandant Maj. Gen. Juancho Sabban while Lim was under Ordonez.