MANILA, Philippines - Something in the air tells it was not going to be an ordinary afternoon of November 29, 2007. Some witnesses say Philippine Senator Antonio Trillanes IV was casting conspiratorial glances at Army Bgen. Danilo Lim during the court hearing of the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny. It was an all-star cast -- from members of the opposition to religious groups. Lim took the witness stand, seemingly offended with the line of questioning, and then Trillanes stood up while their supporters followed. It was the signal of another military stand-off in Philippine history.

From the Makati Regional Trial Court Trillanes, escorted by military guards, started walking through Makati Avenue, one of the major thoroughfares of the business district of Makati. The senator encouraged  surprised bystanders to join them. What they were up to at that time, onlookers could only surmise.

They ended in the Rizal Ballroom of Manila Peninsula, a five-star hotel in Makati. Hotel staff swore they were unexpected guests but the armed men and famous personalities like former Vice-President Teofisto Guingona, not to mention the all-too hyper media, were enough tickets to get them in.

Soon, the word spread. Philippine President Gloria Arroyo, who was in Davao, at that time hurriedly flew back to Malacanang. In an emergency Cabinet meeting, top government officials drew the plan to save her seat. Meanwhile, Trillanes and company held a press conference outlining the alleged corruption of the administration. Outside the hotel, troops were starting to position.

It was almost three o’clock in the afternoon when the government realized that Trillanes and his men were in no mood for a chat. National Capital Region Police Chief Geary Barias then ordered the immediate evacuation of all guests and personnel from the hotel. The Philippine Military sent at least three infantry battalions scattered around the area, while Special Weapons and Tactics commandos lined up outside the Manila Pen.

Police cautioned the defiant men, “leave the premise now or suffer the consequences.” It was also addressed to media men covering the mutiny. But Trillanes and his men stood their ground, amid the warning of the first gunshot from government troops.

The firing stopped at half past four. What can be heard after were the pleas of Bishop Julio Labayen: “Please do not storm the place…so nobody gets hurt.”

But the plea fell on deaf ears until Trillanes and Lim surrendered, and no white flag was raised. Finally, the military pulled out its final stunt. Shortly after five o’clock, an armored personnel carrier crashed into the hotel lobby with soldiers pouring inside. Glasses were shattered and cans of tear gas were thrown, the noxious smell of which reached the hotel’s second floor where the mutineers and the media were holed up.  It was a check-mate.

Choices consisted of the mutineers drawing their guns and engaging their former comrades in a firefight, or simply turning themselves in. Trillanes and company chose the latter. He explained the decision, saying, “[it was] to avoid loss of lives.” The six-hour stand-off had ended.

Trillanes was once again put behind bars, his home for four years since he gained prominence in occupying a posh hotel in the country’s business district. On July 27, 2003, Trillanes, then a Navy lieutenant with a group of young soldiers, occupied Oakwood Premier Hotel (now Ascott Makati). Behind him were his classmates from the Philippine Military Academy batch ’95. The 18-hour mutiny ended unsuccessful with their failure to gain mass support or even from the Armed Forces.

As before, Trillanes’ poignant display of discontentment against the government ended with a whimper. The Arroyo administration, however plagued by opposition groups and critics, remains confident amid these coup attempts.

Until then however, the likes of Trillanes need to be more imaginative in their ways and means to challenge the President’s seat.
(with additional reporting by Vanessa Bago)

About the Author:
Karen Lim is a Philippine-based journalist covering mostly military
activities and major political stories. She contributes to Voyage Film as story producer and project coordinator. Email Karen at klim@voyagefilm.com