ARMED Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. yesterday accepted the written apology of his former aide, Army Scout Ranger Capt. Dante Langkit, who is facing a general court martial for his role in an alleged plot to oust President Arroyo on Feb. 24, 2006.

"Who am I not to forgive? But this is no longer a personal matter, the rule of law, the military justice system has to take its due course," Esperon said at the 56th anniversary celebration of the AFP Civil Relations Service in Camp Aguinaldo.

Langkit and 27 other Army and Marine officers are facing charges of mutiny and conduct unbecoming, among others.

Aside from apologizing for causing Esperon "disappointments," Langkit also sought permission to be allowed outside to campaign for his congressional bid in his home province of Kalinga.

But Esperon said Langkit may not get his wish to be allowed out. "I’m looking at the legal implications that once the general court martial has taken cognizance of his case, he may not be allowed to campaign," he said.

Esperon, who said he found Langkit’s gesture of apologizing "very humbling," wished Langkit well in his budding political career. "I can wish him luck in all his undertakings but I must repeat that I’m not endorsing anybody," he said, adding that Langkit will be a good public servant because "he has a very big heart for public service, he is a soldier…I’m not endorsing anybody but you know I can’t help but talk (about) how good he was. It’s just that he committed mistake, he took a wrong path."