Marcos Casts Some Doubt on Reinstatement of Ver

President Ferdinand E. Marcos for the first time raised the possibility today that armed forces chief Fabian Ver may not be reinstated if he is acquitted in the Benigno S. Aquino assassination trial.

A government announcement reported that Marcos, meeting with top defense and military officials, also said “overstaying” generals would be retired in a revamping of the 250,000-strong military if this would not create a “hiatus” in the fight against communist insurgents.

The meeting came two days before a court is to issue a verdict in the trial of Ver, 24 other soldiers and a civilian on charges in the Aug. 21, 1983, slayings of Aquino and Rolando Galman, the man who the military claims killed Aquino at Manila airport.

Three Years of Exile

Aquino was returning from three years of self-imposed exile in the United States when he was assassinated. There is widespread speculation that Ver, Marcos’ cousin who currently is on leave from his post, will be acquitted.

The Supreme Court today heard a petition to stop the trial court from handing down its decision until the high tribunal rules on whether to declare a mistrial. No order was expected until Tuesday.

Marcos, 68, who has called for an early presidential election in January, had said Friday that Ver would be automatically reinstated if he is cleared in the Aquino murder and that there would be a simultaneous revamping of the military.

Advice From Officials

But today’s announcement said Marcos called in the 67-year-old Ver after hearing advice from Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and acting armed forces chief Lt. Gen. Fidel Ramos.

“Ver was asked if he will help in the reorganization even if he were not to be reinstated as armed forces chief of staff should he be acquitted in the Aquino murder trial,” the statement said.

“I am willing to put down in writing that I will serve even in a consultant’s capacity in the reorganization plan,” Ver was said to have replied.

Marcos’ announcement came just weeks after he met with Sen. Paul Laxalt (R-Nev.), who was sent to Manila in mid-October by President Reagan to urge political reforms in the former American colony to help stem the growing insurgency.

Laxalt has said reinstating Ver for an extended period would create a “firestorm” in Congress and make it difficult for the Reagan Administration to seek aid for the Philippines.

During the Supreme Court hearing, a justice chastised state prosecutors for not pursuing evidence offered by the United States and said a petition seeking a mistrial contained “serious charges.”