MANILA, Philippines – Retired Marine Col. Ariel Querubin, who figured in the series of uprisings against then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, has filed his application for the amnesty offered by President Aquino to rebel soldiers involved in the foiled attempts to overthrow the past administration.

Querubin, a Medal of Valor awardee, availed himself of the amnesty offer one day after the military court martial cleared six Army Scout Ranger officers – Maj. Jason Aquino and Captains Montano Almodovar, Isagani Criste, Joey Fontiveros, James Sababan, and Dante Langkit – of mutiny charges. Except for Langkit, the five Army officers are still in active service.

The six were among Querubin’s co-accused, together with two other retired officers – Maj. Gen. Ranto Miranda and Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim – in connection with the 2006 standoff at the Marines headquarters in Fort Bonifacio.

Querubin earlier explained that the only reason he was holding back in applying for amnesty was because of the ongoing case against them. Concerned with the fate of the six junior officers, Querubin said he wanted to make sure that they get cleared of the charges first before he applies for amnesty.

“But in as much as they were already released then I will avail of the amnesty,” said Querubin after submitting his application before the Department of National Defense amnesty committee headed by Undersecretary for Defense Affairs Honorio S.Azcueta.

In availing himself of the amnesy, Querubin said he does not have any problem with its implementing rules and regulations (IRR).

He added, “I might have violated some articles of war but definitely I’m not guilty of the charge of mutiny that I’m now facing.”

In a statement, the decorated Marine officer said he decided to avail himself of the amnesty “so he can move on and start to rebuild his life after more than four years in prison.”

While still in detention, Querubin opted to join the political race in the May 2010 elections where he sought a senatorial seat but lost.

Querubin was later granted provisional liberty last July and placed under the custody of Brig. Gen. Reynaldo Ordonez of the AFP Defense Reform Office.

Aside from Querubin, another prominent former military officer involved in the series of uprisings against then President Arroyo who availed himself of the amnesty was Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV whose application along with several other military officers and enlisted personnel have already been granted.