Guilty verdict slapped on Marine officer who called for Aquino ouster

President Benigno Aquino lll. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – A Marine colonel who called for the overthrow of President Benigno Aquino III two years ago has been found guilty and sentenced to be discharged from service by the military court, the Philippine Navy said Wednesday.

Colonel Generoso Mariano, then deputy commander of the Naval Reserve Command, was found guilty by the court martial last week for violating Articles of War 63 or “disrespect towards the President,” Navy spokesman Lieutenant Commander Gregory Fabic told reporters Wednesday.

The colonel appeared on a video on July 3, 2011 and called on soldiers to “replace the government.” The recording was circulated in social networking sites.

“It is the duty, it is the right of every Filipino, including soldiers, to replace the government. I repeat, replace the government,” he said on the video.

But Mariano’s dismissal from service is still for approval by the Navy’s Flag Officer in Command as the convening authority, Fabic said.

If discharged from service, Mariano will lose his benefits. He retired from service on July 17, 2011 but has been restricted to quarters at Fort Bonifacio since the start of investigation in 2011.

Mariano was also charged with AW 91 or “provoking speeches,” AW 96 or “conduct unbecoming of an officer and a gentleman,” but was not found guilty.