BY VICTOR REYES

KEY leaders of the alleged power grab attempt in February 2006 yesterday said they are not going to ask for pardon from President Arroyo.

"I cannot see that we will reach that point. I know we are not guilty. If you ask for pardon, you must first accept your guilt," said former Marines commandant Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda at the sidelines of court martial proceedings against him and 27 other Marines and Army officers.

Arroyo on Monday announced she has approved the military’s recommendation for the grant of pardon to nine officers involved in the 2003 Oakwood mutiny. Captains Gerardo Gambala and Milo Maestrecampo and the seven other officers pleaded guilty to the coup d’état case filed against them before a Makati court.

Miranda, referring to the standoff at the Marines headquarters on Feb. 26, 2006, said, "If you are talking of the Sunday standoff, it’s not a coup, it’s about me, it’s about my relief."

The standoff came two days after the alleged power grab attempt to be led by Miranda and Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, former Scout Ranger commander, who would supposedly lead their men to a march to Edsa and air their withdrawal of support from President Arroyo.

The standoff, triggered by Miranda’s relief as Marines commandant, saw the massing of officers and men in front of the headquarters.

"If you can review what happened during the Sunday standoff, it is about the grievances, about how come you treated the commandant that way. Personally, I was very thankful, I was surprised how the men loved the (Marine) leadership," he said.

Miranda said he was "happy, at least" for the pardoned mutineers. "As to the manner it was done, I’m not privy to it," he said.

Lim, asked if they were going to ask for pardon, said: "They (nine officers) made their bed, they sleep on it."

Marine Col. Ariel Querubin said: "I won’t receive any pardon from this administration. I won’t apply... I’ll be cleared."

It was Querubin who called for support for their protest over Miranda’s relief during the standoff.

Miranda, Lim, Querubin and the other accused are facing a number of offenses before a general court martial. The charges include mutiny, conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman, and conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline.

Marine Lt. Col. Achilles Segumalian said they are not going to accept pardon. "Nothing is to be pardoned. We are good and professional soldiers."

Segumalian, who also figured in the standoff, said his group would pardon former AFP chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. if he showed remorse.

Esperon, who relinquished his post to Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano Monday, has said he recommended pardon for the nine mutineers because they have shown remorse.

The group is blaming Esperon for the "prostitution" of the military brought about by his involvement in the alleged cheating in the 2004 presidential elections.

Segumalian said Esperon "should be going to the Comelec (Commission on Elections)."

Asked why, he said: "Do you have to ask that question? He is good at that," he said, referring to the alleged cheating.

Querubin said Yano is better than Esperon.

"At least General Yano has no baggage. He comes clean unlike the other (Esperon)... I think he’ll make good as chief of staff."

Lim said they feel safer with Yano at the helm of the AFP.

"Definitely. Compared to the former chief of staff, most definitely," he said.

Yano vowed he is not going to meddle in the court martial proceedings.

Miranda’s group has accused Esperon of meddling in the affairs of the military tribunal.