PLOT / ESPERON: I SERVE WHOEVER IS COMMANDING IN CHIEF
[OLD PHOTO - RETIRED GENERAL HERMOGENES ESPERON, CENTER, AT 1986 EDSA
1]
MANILA, MARCH 27, 2012 (PHILSTAR) By Alexis Romero - The leader of
a group of retired and active generals yesterday expressed confidence that none
of their members is organizing an ouster plot against President Aquino.
Raul Urgello, president of the Association of Generals and Flag Officers,
Inc. (AGFO), dismissed as rumors the reports about the supposed efforts to oust
Aquino.
"I'm very confident there is no such (ouster plot) here (in our group). I
have talked to a lot of people, they said they do not know anything about it,"
Urgello.
"I have not heard of any plan to organize (ouster plots) from our group," he
added.
Urgello said spreading rumors or information that is not based on facts would
not be good for the country.
He believes a destabilization plot is a serious issue that needs a serious
reason.
"Those who stage coups have dissatisfaction with the way maybe the
administration of the government is being handled," Urgello said.
"I don't see any reason. There should be a strong reason to do something as
serious as that," he added.
When asked to react on the claim of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV
(photo) that some retired generals are recruiting soldiers to join ouster
plots, Urgello said, "Maybe he knows something I don't. Perhaps we should ask
him."
Urgello said those who claim to have knowledge about the supposed ouster plot
should provide details such as the identities of those behind it.
Early this month, Aquino claimed that those opposed to his reforms want him
out before his term ends to they could continue their corrupt ways.
"There are some who want to bring back the old system under which they earned
lots of money. Since they know that I won't let them do it, they want me out of
the picture so that no one can go after them." he said during the celebration of
the 26th anniversary of the Presidential Security Group.
The military, however, is clueless on the supposed destabilization plot
against Aquino.
Former Constabulary chief Ramon Montaño had claimed members of the elite who
are unhappy with Aquino's reforms are behind the reports about ouster plots.
Montaño made the claim even if Aquino himself brought up the supposed ouster
plot. The former Constabulary chief did not provide details to back his claim.
Trillanes then revealed that some retired generals had started recruiting
soldiers to join anti-Aquino ouster plots last month.
Trillanes, who led a failed uprising against the Arroyo administration in
2003, said he had urged Aquino to conduct counter-intelligence operations to
prevent a possible coup.
He said various issues like the supposed harassment of Navy men tagged in the
death of Ensign Philip Pestaño and the cases filed against retired general
Jovito Palparan were used to lure the soldiers to join the ouster plot.
FROM THE INQUIRER
Arroyo-allied retired general denies involvement in
destabilization plot By Katherine Evangelista
INQUIRER.net 7:14 pm | Thursday, March 22nd, 2012
MANILA, Philippines—Retired General Hermogenes Esperon Jr. (photo,
in office 2006-2008) on Thursday denied allegations that he was among former
military officials supposedly plotting a destabilization campaign against the
Aquino administration.
"Why will I destabilize the Philippines? Bakit ko naman gagawin 'yon (Why
would I do that)?" Esperon told reporters in a chance interview after the 115th
anniversary of the Philippine Army in Fort Bonifacio.
The statement came on the heels of reports that Esperon was among the retired
generals earlier mentioned by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV who were plotting a
coup against President Aquino. Esperon is believed to be an ally of former
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo after serving as the Armed Forces chief of
staff and defense secretary under the lady president's term.
After retiring from the AFP, Arroyo appointed Esperon as the presidential
adviser on peace process. "'Wag natin namang sirain 'yong (Let's not destroy
the) Armed Forces by way of besmirching the retirees," Esperon said. "Ang
mahirap kasi dito, parang sinasabi natin na 'yong armed forces masama kasi coup
plotters lahat 'yan. (The danger is that, it's tantamount to saying that the
armed forces is bad because all its members are coup plotters).
Let us aim for an armed forces that is strong and credible kasi meron tayong
mission para sa (because we have a mission for the) armed forces," he added.
When asked if the people making these allegations are using retired military
officials as convenient scapegoats to cover up the errors in the current
administration, Esperon said: "I do not want to think about that but merong mga
sanay kasing magsalita d'yan na wala namang basehan (there are people who are
used to talking without basis)."
"Ewan ko, baka sila guilty sa mga plots nila noon kaya ngayon binabaling sa
amin (I don't know, maybe they are the ones who are guilty of such plots before,
that is why they are attributing similar plots to us)," Esperon added.
Esperon furthered that regardless of who is president, the Armed Forces must
follow the chain of command, which he said is what he did during his years in
the military.
"Kung sino man 'yong presidente, paglilingkuran ko 'yon (I will serve whoever
is the president) because she is the commander-in-chief. It's not the person,
it's the position (that matters)," Esperon said.
"The armed forces must not go out of its mission; the more that some people
in the armed forces go into political matters, lalong humihina ang ating (the
more it weakens our) democracy," Esperon added.
He furthered that the military must focus on protecting the democratic way of
life and ensuring territorial integrity.
When asked to comment on his views regarding the current administration,
Esperon begged off. "Ayaw kong mag-comment sa politics (I don't want to comment
on politics).
That is very well outside my competence. Meron akong sariling (I have my own)
observations, meron akong sariling (I have my own) ideas tungkol dyan (on it)
but I prefer not to comment on that," Esperon told reporters.
[Photo - Senator Sonny Trillanes, former coup plotter vs ex-Pres Gloria
Arroyo]
He added that the military should not be used "to solve the country's
problems." "Bakit kasi tinitingnan natin ang armed forces na mag-solve ng
problema ng bayan (Why do we look to the armed forces to solve national
problems)?
"There are rules. There is the rule of law. We have procedures," Esperon
said, adding that an avenue for the people is the impeachment trial, similar to
what is being conducted in the Senate against Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato
Corona.
"Let us preserve that setup. Dapat sa democratice way of life tayo. Huwag
ninyong hilahin 'yong armed forces, kayo mag-solve (Let's pursue the democratic
way of life. Don't let the armed forces solve your problems. You should),"
Esperon said.
Earlier, Trillanes claimed that he had received information that retired
military generals were recruiting soldiers in active service to destabilize the
Aquino administration but refused to divulge any name.
Trillanes was jailed for his participation in two coup attempts against
President Arroyo.
President Aquino confirmed Trillanes' statement days later, issuing a
statement that he also had received reports of coup plots against him.
Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2012 by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE
NEWS ONLINE
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PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
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