Bikolanos Elated Over Trillanes Amnesty

LEGAZPI CITY, Oct. 12 -- Many Bikolanos welcomed the amnesty that President Benigno S. Aquino III granted to Senator Antonio Trillanes and the other soldiers involved in the Oakwood Mutiny in 2003, the Marine Standoff last Feb. 2006 and the Manila Peninsula Siege in Nov. 2007.

"Albayanos are now happy to see its biggest contribution to national leadership and to the task of nation building finally realize his potential. While there are four Bikolanos in the Senate, Trillanes solely represents Albay, Arroyo from Camsur and Honasan and Escudero from Sorsogon. Trillanes gives pride to Albay but more than that he will prove to be a big help to PNoy in leading the country," Albay governor Joey Salceda said Tuesday.

"The news spread like wild fire and we are happy both for our elected senator as well as thankful for our President," Romeo Echague, an ambulant market vendor in Daraga town said minutes after learning of the decision.

Similar sentiments were in the air in other places during a short round of random interviews, saying their votes will not be wasted and that the fellow Bikolano senator will finally be given a chance to serve Filipinos in the legislative department.

Major Harold Cabunoc, army spokesman of the 9th Infantry Division based in Pili, Camarines Sur, said in a telephone interview: "I personally welcome the amnesty to Senator Trillanes and the rest of those involved in the uprising because this signifies President Aquino's sincerity in implementing further reforms in the Armed Forces of the Philippines to better serve the people."

Cabunoc said that he is fully supportive of the policy of P-NOY. "If we [grant amnesty to] the rebels, how much more with an elected soldier? [The President] is in the best position to help the soldiers and now is the time to realize those reforms that he had been advocating way back prior to becoming the President. Now is the time and I hope he stands firm by his promise."

Tessa Lopez, the regional information officer of Bayan Bikol, said she also welcomed the development and added that "the amnesty must also be given to political prisoners who have languished behind bars for years already."

Lopez referred to the "Morong 43" who had been accused during the previous administration and are still facing uncertainties. (PNA)