What’s happening in the Philippines 27th October 2004.
Rumours of another Military Coup.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) went on full alert nationwide yesterday amid rumours of another coup in the wake of the widening corruption scandal rocking the Philippine military.
Military Spokesperson Lt Col. Daniel Lucero, insisted the AFP was on “Red Alert Status” in fear of increased communist guerrilla attacks.
This action happened as a result of a disclosure by Senator Rodolfo Biazon who said that three retired Generals were behind the latest coup plot.
Although the retired Generals were not named the Senator claimed that these Generals in waiting were only awaiting the results of the investigation into Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia a former Army Comptroller who was suspended by the Ombudsman after being accused of accumulating unexplained wealth.
Senator Biazon said, “They” the Retired Generals are waiting for the right situation, as at present “The situation is not right”.
He claimed that these officers were similar to those who attempted a failed coup in 1980’s against former President Corazon Acquino.
The officers all met in Los Angeles during the Congressional break last October, but are bent on aggravating junior officers of the AFP regarding the problems within the AFP.
At Camp Aguinaldo, Lucero said that troops were placed on 24 hour standby following a statement by the exiled Communist party of the Philippines, who said that their would be widespread dissent.
The CPP has called for Mrs Arroyo to be removed as President through a popular uprising of civil disobedience, A Coup d’etat or other political movement that achieve the above.
Lt Col Lucero has denied that the alert has anything to do with a coup against Mrs Arroyo amid the tensions generated by the ongoing congressional investigation against General Garcia and other military officers facing possible court martial for corruption.
The President appealed to the lawmakers to show restraint regarding its investigations in the AFP and that the Filipino soldier and the command needed fairness to be shown and that political leaders should be most rhetorical in their restraints.
The Congressional trigger was started by a tip off from the U.S. Government as they had seen Garcia bring in over a million dollars over the last 10 years to the U.S.
A startling speech was made on the Senate floor by Sen. Miriam Santiago denouncing those in the AFP who are the “Mafia of the military” 12 Top officers who are plundering funds sent to the Philippine military.
Mrs Arroyo then ordered a full court martial against Garcia to be held on Friday, the President said “I have ordered a court-martial to start forthwith and we shall leave no stone unturned in the full investigation and trial of wrong-doings but le us not drench the uniform in dishonour of the wayward acts of a few” she said.
On Monday of this week Mrs Arroyo admitted that the current problems in the AFP might trigger attempts to destabilize her Government.
Mrs Arroyo declared “ I will deal with those who seek to destabilize the government with an iron fist, but I will hold out the hand of friendship to those who seek a just and dignified reconciliation”.
Forum Commentary by Pete Bennett Forum Moderator.
The Philippines sadly has a history of Military Coup attempts during the 1980’s, President Arroyo survived military revolt last year after taking power when a military backed revolt ousted President Estrada in January 2001.
The Philippine military continues to be criticized for its alleged corruption, and morale continues to decline at lower rank level, this is common within the Philippines where corruption exists at all levels of Government, the Military and Civilian Institutions.
Governments may only govern by the consent of the people, if they are legitimate, civil disobedience only comes through injustices, and what many see as lining the insides of ones own pocket at the expense of the masses.
All Armed Forces should be detached from politics and show discipline, but sadly such is Philippine politics, that the AFP seems fit to involve itself in the democratic institutions set up to Govern the Philippines, if the people of the Philippines deem that its Government is corrupt it has the power to remove it through the ballot box, at the next General election.
