MANILA, Philippines—Eleven military officers cleared of involvement in a failed attempt to oust President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in February 2006 were freed Tuesday and will be able to rejoin their units, officials said Tuesday.

The officers, ranging in rank from first lieutenant to colonel , were freed after a military court acquitted them last month, saying that it had not seen enough evidence that they were part of the failed power grab. They had spent more than three years in detention.

Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner said they would be turned over to their respective major services “as free men”.

The delay in releasing the 11 was attributed to procedural requirements and the need for medical examinations after a lengthy detention.

AFP Chief of staff Gen. Victor Ibrado met with the 11 before they were freed, saying: “I would just like to see them and have some chit-chat.”

Brawner said Ibrado considered the freed soldiers “like his sons” as many of them were with the Scout Rangers regiment which he headed as the Southern Command commander.

The 11 officers, who included Capt. Ruben Guinolbay, hailed as “the hero” of the Lamitan siege in 2001, were part of a group that barricaded themselves at the Fort Bonifacio Army camp on Feb. 26, 2006, to protest the sacking of the then head of the Marines, Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda.

They were among 28 Marines and Army Scout Rangers accused of leading and participating in what the government said was a broader plot to overthrow Ms Arroyo, who has been the target of at least three alleged coup plots by rogue soldiers during her eight years in office.

Miranda is among 17 defendants still on trial.

As he stepped out of his detention cell in Camp Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal, Tuesday, Guinolbay said he had mixed feelings about leaving the military prison.

“I cannot really be happy and celebrate knowing that I left my comrades and friends in prison,” he said in a phone interview.

“But with our release, I hope we can help the cause of those still inside,” he said.

Aside from Guinolbay, also released Tuesday were Marine Col. Januario Caringal, Maj. Francisco Fernandez, Lt. Col. Nestor Flordeliza, Lt. Col. Edmundo Malabanjot, Capt. Frederick Sales, Capt. Allan Aurino, and 1st Lieutenants Ervin Divinagracia, Jacon Cordero, Sando Sereno and Richiemel Caballes.