Mutineer-turned-senator Antonio Trillanes and former Army Scout Ranger chief Gen. Danilo Lim led a band of armed Magdalo rebels in occupying posh Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati, in a takeover eerily similar to the unsuccessful Oakwood Mutiny in 2003.
Trillanes and Lim, along with a dozen more soldiers, were being tried for rebellion at the Makati RTC when they walked out in unison. Several civil and church leaders led by Teofisto Guingona and Bishop Julio Labayen joined the march soon after. They traversed Makati Avenue and stormed the side entrance upon reaching the Pen.
They were demanding the ouster or immediate resignation of President GMA.
Chief negotiator and ground commander NCRPO Director Gen. Geary Barias issued a 3pm ultimatum for their surrender before the government takes appropriate action. A defiant Trillanes was heard saying, "Believe me, nothing will happen after three o'clock," while a frightened Bishop Labayen pleaded for for more time.
The 6-hour siege ended when a battalion of elite commandos barged through the main lobby behind a mammoth Simba (an armored personnel carrier) surrounding the rebels. Moments earlier, the Simba strafed the lobby with 50-caliber machinegun fire as the government troops filled the area with tear gas. Trillanes, who earlier swore he'd fight 'til the end, succumbed to the pressure and surrendered to the authorities.
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For a decorated Navyman, I have to say Trillanes is one fucking coward. Twice he could have proved he had balls to back his words and armed uprising, but twice he backed out at the face of death. I swear he (and everyone else involved) were releasing bodily fluids in every possible hole and exit points in their bodies upon seeing the massive military force they were up against. The government had no plans of holding back and decided to go all out. It was a futile mismatch from the get-go.
Still, I would have rather seen Trillanes and company slug it out with guns blazing. Unlike David and Goliath, this underdog had absolutely no chance. At least, if it's any consolation, he would've been true to his ideals as he goes down fighting.
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