by: Reyna Elena
To have an appreciation as to why Atty. Trixie Angeles is currently on top of the world, we have to go back in time.
In the early hours of February 26, 2006, several cause-oriented groups began massing in various places in Metro Manila. Composed of different political persuasions, these groups were united in two things: a strong belief that Gloria Arroyo stole the 2004 elections and a desire to back-up officers who were allegedly going to withdraw support from the Commander-in-Thief.
Yes, The Thief. Gloria.
Malacanang reacted quickly and sent loyal forces to stop the massing of people in EDSA. Among the more prominent personalities barred from marching was Cory Aquino, who nevertheless made her way to the group’s destination: the Marine Compound in Fort Bonifacio.
People there found chaos in the Marines. Col. Ariel Querubin was giving interviews and nervously pacing the area, searching for allies in the burgeoning crowd outside the fence. Meanwhile, inside the compound, Gen. Boy Miranda was meeting with the top ranked officers of the Marines who had met flustered and disgusted with the manner in which Miranda was being ousted. Earlier in the day, Miranda had been ordered to vacate the post of Commandant immediately, in order for Gen. Allaga to replace him. No exit honors were to be given to him, no parade, no ceremony. His staff was in uproar.
Miranda was removed allegedly due to a presentation he made to the AFP top brass depicting the current state of events in the country. Although Miranda had expressed no opinions and simply recited dry facts, it is suspected that then Army Commanding General Hermogenes Esperon carried exaggerated stories up to Malacanang, who immediately sought to replace his former PMA bunkmate, Miranda.
Outside, at least two Marine companies were deployed to protect officers inside, while tanks approached. However, after several tense hours, Querubin surrendered.
If people thought that the Oakwood court martial was the trial of the century, the proceedings of the 2006 Marine Stand off was the trial of the millenium for the military. While Oakwood had nearly 200 junior officers representing the best of the AFP’s youth, the Standoff held for trial, the seasoned veterans who remained idealists. These were the AFP’s superstars. MGen Renato Miranda was the most senior of the officers. He is followed by BGen. Danilo Lim, who first gained fame as the Scout Ranger captain who held Makati captive for a week during the 1989 attempted coup d’etat that nearly toppled the Aquino government. Despite remaining a captain for 14 years, Lim’s intelligence and leadership skills nevertheless allowed him to still rise in the ranks of the Philippine Army.
Two Medal of Valor Awardees were also among the accused — Col. Ariel Querubin and the famous Custodio Parcon of the Marines. Among the Army offficers were Maj. Jason Aquino, class baron and honors graduate of PMA Class of 1991 and Capt. Ruben Guinolbay, known as the “Hero of Lamitan.”
The lawyers were superstars too. Homobono Adaza was there. Abraham Espejo. Frank Chavez. A whole array of legal eagles and superstars.
And then, there among the lead counsels was one female lawyer: Atty. Trixie Angeles.
Like myself, she would be subjected to a relentless online hate campaign by Amiel Cabanlig, Paul Farol and Eric Bordeos. Easily dismissed as just another pretty face, she immediately distinguished herself at the first major hearing by reciting to the prosecution chapter of verse of a Supreme Court case they had misquoted, drawing stunned looks from both accused and co-counsels. Evidence of her exemplary work was the fact that intel agencies were allegedly later tasked to conduct surveillance on her which later intensified as the trial heated up.
Still, Atty. Trixie Angeles became known as the walking Manual on Courts Martial for her tendency to recite page numbers and article numbers of provisions, from memory. One prosecutor was heard to mutter that she was actually a pretty scary opponent. The accused knew it too, and they openly admired her tenacity and infinite capacity to come up with new ideas and arguments in trial. She also held on. When the trial finally came to an end, she and five others were the only ones left of the original superstars.
Her hard work has finally paid off. Last Tuesday, Sept. 28 one of her clients, LCol. Achilles Segumalian of the Philippine Marines, was acquitted by the court martial.
Remember the name: Atty. Trixie Cruz-Angeles.
On top of the world.
(Source: Barrio Siete)
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