Former 1st Scout Ranger Regiment commander, now ex-Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim Monday night gained temporary freedom after four years of detention when the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) released him to the custody of a fellow officer and classmate in the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1978.

AFP Chief of Staff, Gen. Delfin Bangit, formally transferred Lim’s custody to Brig. Gen. Reynaldo Ordoñez following his release from the Philippine National Police (PNP) custodial center in Camp Crame. Lim earlier posted bail before the Regional Trial Court of Makati City, Branch 150 where he is facing rebellion charges in connection with the November 29, 2007 Manila Peninsula siege.

Lim, however, also has cases still undergoing trial under the AFP’s Special General Court Martial (SPGCM) number 2 and 3 for charges of mutiny, disrespect to the President, breach of arrest and confinement, conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman, and conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline.

Bangit, as convening/confining authority under Articles of War 70 (Arrest or Confinement) who has discretion on assigning custody to another “responsible officer,” has approved the request submitted by Lim to the AFP through his counsel Atty. Vicente Verdadero for transfer of his custody to Ordoñez, chief of the AFP Office Defense Reforms.