Devie Ann Mae Santiago Lamban Bachelor of Arts in Political Science Diplomatic and Consular Practices (Psc.

19) REACTION PAPER (Implication to the International Community of the amnesty given to soldiers involved on the Oakwood Mutiny Catastrophe) Scoop: Seven years ago on July 27, a group of 321 armed soldiers from the Army and the Navy including two honor graduates of PMA class 1995 took over the Oakwood Premier Ayala Center, a luxury hotel in Makati City. The group was dubbed as MAGDALO. The said group of soldiers were demanding the resignation of then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and the then Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes and the rest of the members of the cabinet together with some top officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in three grounds. First, they declare that the government has been selling arms to anti-government forces and the higher officials of the military are pocketing AFP funds while their men are ding in the fields. Second, they accused the government of stage bombings in Mindanao to make an excuse for the MILF as terrorists and justify its plead for additional military aid from the USA. Third, they accused Arroyo of planning to declare a Martial Law in order to extend her stay in office. After the catastrophe, five young soldiers were detained at the headquarters of the Intelligence Service of the AFP. The other soldiers were in barracks and were restricted to quarters. After the catastrophe the five leaders of the said mutiny apologize to President Arroyo. Most of them remain on that area while the others made another move to revolt against the government even though they extended an apology to the government and even claimed that they will support the government that they once overthrow. Most soldiers penalty were lessen and the others even run for Public office. Implication to the International Community: The President now grant amnesty to soldiers implicated in a series of failed mutinies including the soldiers involved on the Oakwood Mutiny. The said decision of the President and the Congress gained many critiques agreeing and disagreeing to them. The International Community may somehow look at it that indeed the Philippines is a Peace loving country as they grant amnesty to the so called leftist of the state. However, it can also appear that the Philippines particularly the government can tolerate and overlook the impairment done by these mutinies that languish for a short moment than those common criminals who have languished enough and deserves a better amnesty. Such action could imply demoralization on the military. It only shows that the Philippine government encourages military adventure. It can also justify how weak our military is. I salute these soldiers bravery to expose the scandals in the government but there actions boost negative effect on the military and in the economy of the state. The government did not even find solutions nor answer to the issues they exposed instead their rebellion became the issue or problem of the government that government finds solution. I dont personally favor the Presidents decision on amnesty towards this soldiers implicated in a series of failed mutinies.