By PRINCE GOLEZ
Manila Reporter
MANILA — What coup d’état?
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff yesterday denied that a military coup against President Benigno Aquino III is under way.
“Wala kaming nababalitaan ngayon. There is no intelligence report on that,” said Lt. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., who attended an executive hearing on the AFP’s intelligence fund at the Senate.
Malacañang also dismissed talks that retired generals who served under then President Gloria Macapagal–Arroyo were plotting a coup against Aquino.
“It is not true. There is no interest in the Armed Forces for a coup plot,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said. “There are no reports of restiveness among the rank and file of the (AFP).”
Catapang said there is no reason to stage a coup d’état because the Aquino government has been supportive of the Armed Forces.
They need not conduct a loyalty check among their ranks because the soldiers are “loyal,” he stressed.
“Mataas ang morale ng mga sundalo natin. Lalo na hina-highlight sa State of the Nation Address ang naitulong ng pamahalaan sa AFP,” Catapang said. “Nagpapasalamat kami kasi ngayon lang kami nakatikim ng ganung importansya.”
Lacierda said the Aquino government has always provided the military with its needs.
“We have provided mission-essential equipment to the people on the ground. We have provided housing units. We have modernized the AFP,” he said.
Sen. Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV earlier claimed that retired generals are talking to military officials about a plan to destabilize the Aquino presidency.
However, Trillanes believes the coup won’t succeed because the government is not facing immensely contentious issues./PN
