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Thursday, January 29, 2004
6 Army captains in destabilization plot nabbed
MANILA -- Six Army captains assigned in Fort Bonifacio were arrested Wednesday after calling for the resignation of Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita and joining fresh efforts to destabilize the Arroyo administration.
A group of soldiers who called themselves "Kawal Filipino" appeared before national television Wednesday night and demanded for Ermita's resignation, allegedly for "politicizing" the Armed Forces.
Gen. Narciso Abaya, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief, said the six Army captains are in their custody and are being investigated.
The soldiers alleged that Ermita, who is the logistics manager of President Arroyo's campaign team, ordered some of their comrades to spy on politicians running against Arroyo in the May elections.
One of the soldiers, who identified himself as "Gabay" (guide), said Ermita ordered military surveillance on presidential candidates Fernando Poe Jr., former education secretary Raul Roco and Sen. Panfilo Lacson.
Aside from monitoring the politicians' movements, the soldiers were also directed to destroy the oppositions' chances of winning in the May elections.
The soldiers, hiding their faces behind a huge Philippine flag, read a two-page manifesto opposing the politicization of the AFP and calling for Ermita's resignation.
Kawal, who claimed to have about 200 members, said 23 officers from other service of the AFP signed their manifesto.
Kawal said they are not discounting the possibility of a military takeover if their concerns are not addressed. They also clarified that they are not connected with the Magdalo group who earlier launched a coup plot against the Arroyo administration.
But like Magdalo, Kawal also calls on government to address grievances among soldiers about salaries and allowances, housing and career development.
Political manipulation
Ermita, in a television interview, denied being appointed by President Arroyo as the logistics manager of her campaign staff.
He said the soldiers' allegations could be part of destabilization move against the Arroyo administration.
He said it is ironic that the soldiers are crying for politicization, yet are victims of "political manipulation" themselves.
Ermita said reports reaching him identified Boy Saycon, secretary-general of the Council on Philippine Affairs (Copa), as the one behind the group.
He said one of the junior officers is the son of a retired colonel who earlier signed a manifesto calling for the suspension of the May elections.
Ermita, on the other hand, assured that chain of military command is in place.
Under investigation
The six soldiers were arrested for violating the chain of command and have apparently joined fresh efforts to undermine the Arroyo administration.
Gen. Abaya, in a press conference, withheld the identities of the six soldiers and declined to provide further details regarding the interrogation of the detained soldiers.
Initial investigation disclosed that some political groups undermining the government manipulated the soldiers.
The Magdalo group, who launched a military uprising in July, accused the AFP hierarchy of graft and corruption.
A court martial proceeding against the junior officers is ongoing. Sunnex
(January 29, 2004 issue)
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