3 RAM-YOU men confirm coup talks

Rightist soldiers confirmed yesterday discussing a coup at the home of Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile even as he and Sen. Gregorio Honasan, along with resigned Philippine National Police chief Director General Panfilo Lacson, denied any part in plans to overthrow the fledgling Arroyo administration.

Even Malacañang dismissed as "baseless" news reports attributed to the mi-litant group Akbayan about alleged coup plots against newly installed President Arroyo.

Executive Secretary Renato de Villa branded the coup rumors as "pathological activity" by its unknown authors.

Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado also shrugged off rumors of the alleged coup plot by supporters of deposed President Joseph Estrada.

Three leaders of the rightist Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabansa (RAM) revealed that they were invited to a secret meeting at Enrile’s residence in the posh Dasmariñas Village in Makati City shortly after Arroyo was sworn into office by Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. on Saturday.

The sources, who asked not to be identified, said Enrile and Honasan tried to persuade them to join a coup against Arroyo.

The RAM leaders said they politely rejected the invitation.

"Tama na, sir. Tanggalin na natin ang ating revolutionary stance at tumulong na lang tayo sa nation-building (It’s enough, sir. Let us set aside our revolutionary stance and help instead in nation-building)," they told the two legislators.

"There is no truth to the coup rumors. They are just too paranoid," Enrile said.

"Once again, I vehemently deny the vicious rumors about my participation in any planned attempt to overthrow the government through extra judicial means. Comments such as these are divisive and will not in any way contribute to the healing of this nation," Honasan said.

Akbayan, at a press conference last Monday, alleged that Enrile, Honasan and Lacson were spearheading a coup plot against Mrs. Arroyo.

At least five Army companies loyal to Enrile and Honasan were headed to Metro Manila from Isabela and Cagayan provinces in Northern Luzon Monday afternoon, field reports said.

However, the troops were blocked in Carranglan town in Nueva Ecija by forces loyal to the new administration, Akbayan said.

But military sources said the Army blocking force set up in Carranglan failed to make contact with the renegade soldiers and policemen who reportedly left their camps in Gattaran, Cagayan and Gamu, Isabela.

Other sources claimed that former Executive Secretary Edgardo Angara and former Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno were also with the coup plotters.

Angara, who acted as executive secretary of Estrada for only two weeks, called up The STAR to deny the alleged coup plot. "I categorically and equivocally deny that. That’s a complete lie, a fabrication," he said.

Honasan, who staged a series of coup attempts against then President Corazon Aquino following the popular EDSA uprising in 1986, countered that the rumors were part of a continuing disinformation campaign against Estrada.

Honasan was chief security aide of Enrile who triggered the phenomenal EDSA revolt that toppled the Marcos dictatorship.

Akbayan said Enrile and Honasan met with their military backers in Greenhills, San Juan to map out their moves to retake the government.

Enrile admitted he met with his former aides, among them Honasan, when he was still defense secretary under the Marcos administration, but clarified it was a routine gathering by their group.

Also reportedly present during the dinner-meeting were other leaders of the Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabansa including Rex Robles and Victor Erfe.

In a statement, Honasan apologized for his vote in the Senate impeachment trial which was largely perceived to be a suppression of evidence, and the truth on the secret bank accounts of Estrada under the fictitious name "Jose Velarde."

"I am sorry if I failed to heed their call. After all, the voice of the people is the supreme law. Since the people have spoken, then let it be," the statement said.

For his part, Lacson said he chose to remain silent "in deference to the new leaders chosen by the people."

"It is only now that I am breaking my silence because I have to clear my name and set the record straight," Lacson said.

He also denied any involvement in the alleged coup plot. "I have no intention, now or in the future, to engage in any act that would run contrary to the provisions of the Constitution, or subvert the will of the people, and I reaffirm my intention to remain faithful to my oath as a police officer and a public servant," he said.

Mercado allayed fears of an impending attempt to grab political power by force. "I’m confident enough to say there is no such threat to our society."

He surmised that military officials affected by a revamp circulated the coup rumors.

The military’s withdrawal of support from Estrada helped tip the balance of power and paved the way for Mrs. Arroyo’s takeover as the 14th president of the country.

Meanwhile, Sen. Ramon Magsaysay Jr. said alleged attempts by Estrada to withdraw $3 million from his account with Citibank could be part of the coup plot against Mrs. Arroyo.

"A handful of Estrada cohorts who are scheming to retake the government may use the $3 million to finance their heinous scheme," he said.

Camp Aguinaldo placed on alert

A 5,500-strong strike force was placed on combat alert at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City amid reports of a coup plot against the Arroyo government.

Camp commander Army Col. Angel Atutubo said the strike force was backed by the elite Special Forces units, light tanks and armored infantry fighting vehicles.

Atutubo said strict security measures were also implemented in Camp Aguinaldo to regulate the flow of people going in and out of the base.

"We are checking if certain parties are either bringing in or taking out firearms. We are still (monitoring) if there will be action," Atutubo said, adding the red alert status has yet to be lifted.

The Army contingent at Fort Bonifacio in Makati City also remained on red alert, along with the Air Force in nearby Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

The red alert status took effect on Saturday when Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado and Armed Forces chief Gen. Angelo Reyes, along with the three major service commanders, withdrew their support from Estrada and joined the opposition.

Anti-Estrada groups in Pampanga also took steps to prevent troops from entering Metro Manila to help unseat Arroyo.

Edgardo Pamintuan, a local leader of the Lakas-NUCD party, said they have mobilized various radio communication groups and other militant organizations to be vigilant against unusual troop movements in their respective localities.

"We are ready to mass up and block the routes of coup plotters," Pamintuan said.

"We will not allow the gains of the recent people power to be wasted. We will risk our lives to ensure the stability of the Arroyo administration," he added.

At the same time, Pamintuan said members and leaders of Coalition for the Ouster of Erap and other groups will stage a thanksgiving motorcade in Angeles City starting at 8 a.m. today.

Meanwhile, Army commanders in Northern Luzon have denied any unauthorized troop movements in their respective areas of jurisdiction.

A reliable source from the Army’s Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom), citing intelligence reports, belied reports that about 500 soldiers from Isabela and Cagayan were spotted moving towards Metro Manila.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Diomedio Villanueva visited Camp Aquino in Tarlac to check on the allegations.

In another development, Ilocos Sur Luis "Chavit" Singson belittled Enrile’s capability to undermine the Arroyo administration.

Singson, whose exposé on Estrada’s alleged involvement in a protection racket for illegal gambling operators led to Estrada’s ouster, said Enrile has become powerless.

Singson also revealed that Enrile has threatened to cut him down to size during his exposé on the so-called "juetengate."

At the same time, Singson divulged that Enrile sent some of his people to Ilocos Sur during the campaign for the senatorial elections in 1995 to ask him to manipulate the election results in the province.

Enrile eventually emerged at the tailend of the 12 senators who won in the polls amid charges of massive cheating in the tabulation of the votes.

Singson, who is serving his third and last term as governor, said he has rejected offers for a slot in the Lakas-NUCD senatorial ticket in the May 14 elections.

"I am staying away from politics," Singson said, adding he may just head a non-government organization. — With reports from Perseus Echeminada, Ding Cervantes, Teddy Molina