Three years ago, on this day, there were talks of restlessness in the military as more first-hand accounts of how the military was used as cheating operators in the 2004 elections were being shared by the soldiers themselves.

Eight months earlier, on June 6, 2005 then Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye revealed the existence of a taped conversation between Gloria Arroyo and then Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano about manipulating the results of the election in Muslim Mindanao to offset the huge lead posted by opposition candidate Fernando Poe Jr. in Luzon.

Gloria Arroyo apologized on TV for "talking to an election officer" which is prohibited by law. "A confessed felon," lawyer Francisco Chavez said.

As Malacañang raised the alert in military camps and ordered a clampdown on street demonstrations, there were talks of the plan by upright military and officers and police officers to join a multisectoral rally that would be joined by church and business groups the next day in their uniform and their firearms but with the nozzles down. That was to indicate that the soldiers were there in unity with the people and not to fight and fire.

In the evening, at about 9 p.m. AFP chief Generoso Senga called for a meeting of ranking officials at his official residence in Camp Aguinaldo. Among those in the meeting were Brig. Gen. Danny Lim of the First Scout Ranger Regiment; Marine Col. Ariel Querubin. It was talked about that at least a combined force of over 1,000 Rangers and Marines would be joining the protest rally.

Also in that meeting were Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda, commandant of the Philippine Marines and Chief Superintendent Marcelino Franco. who had first-hand knowledge of Arroyo’s crime of tampering with the election results.

It was Franco’s Special Action Force, the elite unit of the Philippine National Police that undertook the switching of the genuine election returns being stored at the Batasan Pambansa building with manufactured ones allegedly upon orders of former PNP Chief Hermogenes Ebdane, who was named public works secretary.

Some 1,000 were reportedly SAF were reportedly hot on joining the protest rally.

Others in that meeting were then Army Chief Hermogenes Esperon and Vice Admiral Mateo Mayuga, FOIC, Philippine Navy; Lt. Gen. Jose Reyes, Philippine Air Force chief; and the AFP intelligence chief Maj. Gen. Rodrigo Maclang.

The plan to join the mass protest didn’t push through. Miranda, Lim, Querubin and 25 other Marine and Army officers were charged with mutiny, conduct unbecoming of an officer and gentleman and conduct to good order and military discipline.

Illegitimacy continues to haunt Arroyo’s presidency as she has blocked every attempt to uncover the truth about the cheating in the 2004 election. Those who helped her in thwarting the will of the people and the subsequent cover up have been richly rewarded. The 28 military officers continue to be in detention.

At least six groups with military background have issued a manifesto declaring support for BGen. Danilo "Danny" Lim which came out last weekend. For what undertaking, it doesn’t say.

The manifesto says they have agreed to unite because "our country is slowly being engulfed by the fires of poverty, war and corruption ... and concede the need to strengthen our ranks in the face of a ruthless enemy."

They also said they "recognize our people’s longing for change and their desire for a new breed of leader" thus, they have Lim for the following reasons:

"He has the essential leadership qualities to steer us towards our vision;

"He has the impeccable character to lead with moral authority;

"He has consistently displayed uncommon valor and patriotism in the face of extremely difficult situations.

"We have been forged in adversity; we are now ready to answer the call of duty. For God, country and people."

Signatories include Bagong Katipunan, Magdalo, Nationalist Army of the Philippines (NAP), Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabansa (RAM), Para sa Bayan (PSB), Samahang Magdalo, Young Enlisted Soldiers with Active and Retired Military-Police for Solidarity (Yes Arms), Young Officers Union (YOU) and some officers in their personal capacity.