THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has affirmed the acquittal of 11 officers of mutiny, and ordered their immediate release from detention.

The release of the officers was ordered on October 30 by the Armed Forces vice chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Rodrigo Maclang, who was the acting chief of staff at that time, as Gen. Victor Ibrado was in Hawaii attending a conference of military chiefs.

“They shall be released to their respective major services through their respective administrative holding centers-units after compliance with all administrative matters prior to their posting to military duties,” Maclang ordered the court martial, headed by Maj. Gen. Jogy Leo Fojas.

The officers are Col. Januario Caringal and Maj. Francisco Domingo Fernandez of the Marines; Lt. Cols. Nestor Flordeliza and Edmundo Malabanjot; Capts. Frederick Sales, Ruben Guinolbay and Allan Aurino; and 1st Lts. Ervin Divinagracia, Jacon Cordero and Sandro Sereno and 2nd Lt. Ritchiemel Caballes, all of the Army’s First Scout Ranger Regiment.

“You are hereby directed to effect the immediate release of the…detainees in your respective detention centers,” Maclang ordered the custodians of the officers.

The officers were scheduled to meet with Ibrado on Tuesday afternoon.

The 11 were among the 28 officers headed by the former Marine commandant, Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda, and the former Scout Ranger commander, Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, who charged with mutiny for allegedly attempting to withdraw their support from President Arroyo in February 2006.

Two weeks ago, the military court upheld their arguments that they should be cleared on the ground that the prosecution failed to present enough evidence to secure their conviction.

The prosecution appealed but it was denied by the court.

The ruling was later forwarded to the Armed Forces chief of staff, he being the tribunal’s convening authority.

Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr., Armed Forces Public Information Office chief, said the 11 should have been released on the day Maclang issued the order, but they have to undergo medical examination before they would be turned over to their respective units.

“As of today [Tuesday], they are already free men,” he said of the officers.

Brawner said since they are already cleared of case, they can also leave the military service should they wish.

Last week Flordeliza said he would retire if the convening authority will affirm the court’s ruling.