A fugitive marine officer who led two failed uprisings in the Philippines surrendered to authorities after more than two years in hiding, a navy spokesman said Thursday.
Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon surrendered to a senior officer late Tuesday at the marine headquarters in Taguig city, a Manila suburb, Navy Captain Alden Amargo said.
Faeldon said he surrendered because he believed that he could find justice under the new government of President Benigno Aquino III.
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“We have a new government that has the mandate of the people,” he told reporters at a press briefing on Thursday. “I am surrendering to the will of the people.” Faeldon said he was not seeking special treatment from the new government.
“I am ready to face the consequences of my actions,” he said. “I am one of those hopeful that justice will be attained not just for myself but for all those who are facing charges.” Faeldon added he believed there is a bigger chance of reform in the military under the Aquino government.
He was among the key leaders of the July 2003 mutiny of junior military officers who denounced corruption under the government of former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
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He escaped from military custody in 2005 but was recaptured one month later.
In November 2007, he walked out of a court trial along with other rebel officers and occupied a five star hotel in the financial district of Makati City in another failed uprising.
Faeldon escaped when security forces stormed the hotel and had been a fugitive since then.