MANILA, Philippines--Malacañang said Saturday it will respect a military court's decision dismissing mutiny charges against 11 officers linked to an alleged 2006 failed coup, but added it hoped the soldiers had "learned lessons from it."

"We have to respect the decision of the military court," Secretary Raul Gonzalez said by phone, adding that he had not seen the evidence and had no idea whether or not the prosecution bungled the case. At any rate, it will be difficult to assail that decision, he said.

A military court on Thursday dismissed for "lack of evidence, mutiny charges against Capt. Ruben Guinolbay, Marine Col. Januario Caringal; Lt. Colonels Edmundo Malabanjot and Nestor Flordeliza; Maj. Francisco Domingo Fernandez; Captains Frederick Sales and Allan Aurino; Lieutenants Ervin Divinagracia, Jacon Cordero, Sandro Sereno and Richiemel Caballes.

They were ordered released from a military camp in Tanay, Rizal, where they have been detained for the past three years for allegedly attempting to turn the anniversary celebrations of the 1986 "People Power Revolt" in 2006 into a military mutiny against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

The court said it would decide on Oct. 27 if it would also dismiss charges against 17 remaining respondents, including Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, Marine Col. Ariel Querubin, Lt. Col. Custodio Parcon and the former Marine commandant, Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda.

Gonzalez said the Executive Department would pose no objection to the reinstatement of the 11 acquitted officers.

"Let's hope they have learned their lesson?that whatever indiscretion they did before, they know the arm of the law will also be there. Maybe they will be more careful now," he said.

He also said the dismissal would result in stability in the military, saying, "If these people were given a fair deal, then they should be satisfied."

Gonzalez, who served as justice secretary, said he did not monitor the case and would assume that the military court ruled on the evidence, or the lack of it.

"I'm not conversant with the evidence. I wasn't present in the presentation of evidence. We don't know if the prosecution bungled it. Even if we assume the prosecution did its best, maybe the evidence failed to stand the requirement of proof beyond reasonable doubt," he said.