Former Marine Col. Ariel Querubin walked free from his detention cell Wednesday, more than four years after he was arrested in connection with a failed attempt to overthrow the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Querubin was freed after Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Ricardo David signed the detained official’s provisional release papers Tuesday night.
GMA News reported that Querubin walked out of his cell at noon to the warm welcome of his family and supporters.
In an interview with reporters at Camp Aguinaldo, Querubin said he did not request for his release from detention.
“Let’s be clear about it, this is not my initiative. Initiative ito ng AFP,” said Querubin, who is facing trial before a military tribunal for a charge of mutiny following his group’s alleged plot to march and subsequently withdraw their support from then President Arroyo in February 2006.
“Right after ni-release si Danny [Lim] nung June 1, kinabukasan pumunta si Gen. Ordoñez. Nag-offer na ire-release ako provided I will write the chief of staff. But I declined,” Querubin said.
He will be placed under the custody of Brig. Gen. Reynaldo Ordoñez, head of the AFP’s Defense Reform Office.
Former Scout Ranger chief Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, another leader in the foiled plot against Arroyo, was also placed under the custody of Ordoñez upon his release last May 31 by then AFP chief Gen. Delfin Bangit. More than a week later, Bangit also gave provisional liberty to nine Scout Ranger officers linked to the plot.
Querubin said he insisted that he would wait until his motion to dismiss their case would be resolved so the officers accused in the alleged 2006 coup attempt could move on with their lives.
He asserted that the officers are not guilty of any crime so he did not file a request for his release. “Yun na lang naiwan sa akin, yung dignity ko at pride, ayaw kong sumulat,” he said.
