MANILA, Philippines -- Brigadier General Danilo Lim said Monday that he was accepting “the mantle of leadership bestowed upon me” by groups of active duty and retired military officers who took out a full-page advertisement in the Philippine Daily Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net).

At the same time, Lim, the former commander of the elite Army Scout Rangers who is being tried for mutiny for his alleged role in an attempt to overthrow the government in 2006, said he was "humbled by this expression of support."

"Not one to shrink away from challenges and responsibilities, I accept the mantle of leadership bestowed upon me by the collective wisdom of the leaders and followers of various reformist groups," Lim said in a handwritten statement.

"I will do justice to the trust and I commit myself to the attainment of our aspirations for a country of peace, progress and prosperity," he said.