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Saturday, February 28, 2004
Brush off coup rumors, Minda soldiers told
DAVAO -- Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) stationed in Southern Mindanao are advised not to make an issue out of the reported coup plot by some retired generals and young officers in Metro Manila.
President Arroyo, earlier in Pagadian, expressed confidence that no destabilization plot could ever get off the ground, citing the number of coup attempts her administration survived.
Col. Gaudencio Pangilinan, chief of Task Force (TF) Davao, said they were already briefed by their superiors in Manila about the coup plot and were advised to just "brush it off" and not say anything that would fan the rumor.
"We expect these things and we are not out to counter it," Pangilinan said.
He, however, assured that if ever the coup plot would materialize, no soldier from Task Force Davao will be joining the destabilization plot.
In a radio interview, AFP spokesman Col. Daniel Lucero admitted some sympathizers and supporters of the Magdalo group and some retired generals plan to stage a coup in the event the Supreme Court disqualifies Fernando Poe Jr. from the presidential race.
He said the Magdalo group probably sees hope with its case once Poe wins.
He added that supporters and sympathizers of the Magdalo group are asking members of the AFP to join them, but assured that the soldiers are not entertaining the offer by the coup plotters.
He added that the AFP is now monitoring every move of the coup plotters and that they are in the process of getting hard evidence against them.
He also appealed to retired generals not to drag the name of the AFP in their political agenda as it will smear the country's image. He urged them to see the issue "from the national interest perspective."
Major General Samuel Bagasin, chief of the Army's 4th Infantry Division, said there is no unauthorized troop movement in his area of responsibility.
Lt. Col. Max Caro, chief of the Army's 36th Infantry Battalion assigned in Diwalwal, said the coup plot "is uncalled for."
"Destabilization plot would not help at all in improving the present situation that the country is in," he added.
Nothing to worry
The President assured that no destabilization plot could ever rock her administration.
"We've crushed a number of attempts to grab power, so we're confident there's no way any new destabilization plot could ever get off the ground," the President said.
Arroyo was reacting to news reports saying that recruitment for another military uprising, supposedly far worst than the July 27, 2003 Oakwood mutiny, continues.
Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita announced earlier that the same group supporting the Magdalo group will conduct a "Part 2" of the failed Oakwood mutiny should the Supreme Court rule against actor Fernando Poe, Jr., the opposition's presidential candidate, whose citizenship is being questioned by several petitioners.
In Manila, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye also downplayed the threat, saying the loyalty of the military and the police is given.
"The people are firmly behind our democratic system, considering the fact that the election is barely two months away," he said.
Bunye said talks about destabilization are senseless and have no bearing on political realities. With report from Peng Aliņo
(February 28, 2004 issue)
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