AFP downplays ‘Oplan No-el’

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Armed Forces chief Gen. Diomedio Villanueva downplayed yesterday threats of an alleged plot to disrupt the May 14 local and national elections through a spate of bomb attacks in Metro Manila.

Villanueva said the military and police, along with the political leadership, are prepared to meet any threat to national security "to protect the stability of the country."

Addressing the 25th anniversary of the military’s Southern Command (Southcom) based here, Villanueva said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) remain vigilant following reports that supporters of the political opposition would launch "Oplan Noel" ( for "No Elections"), which would involve the bombings.

Villanueva said "Oplan Noel" was hatched after the failed coup plot against the government.

"Those who tried to grab power may find it difficult in view of the strength of the Armed Forces and the strong stand of our political leaders to meet them head on in whatever way," he said.

Villanueva assured the people that the troops and the police were keenly monitoring areas where the bombings would possible occur.

"The implication is that they might couple this with terrorism and lawlessness in order to make it appear everything is falling down. but your AFP continues to (give assurance) that we have that security and stable environment," he said.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) renewed its pledge of loyalty to Mrs. Arroyo amid reports that forces loyal to deposed President Joseph Estrada have been wooing its personnel to join the projected coup.

At a press conference at the PCG headquarters in Manila, PCG chief Rear Adm. Reuben Lista denied allegations that Estrada loyalists have tried to recruit PCG personnel for the power grab.

"The whole Coast Guard administration, together with its officers, men and civilian personnel, fully supports and pledges its unwavering loyalty to the duly constituted authority, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her executive machinery. We all stand committed to support her program for the economic recovery of the nation, as well as its peace-keeping and security efforts," Lista said.

Former PNP chief Panfilo Lacson, who went into hiding after being tagged as one of the coup plotters, branded the alleged plot to disrupt the elections as "another figment of the imagination" of PNP intelligence officers.

"As far as I am concerned, I do not know of such plan by myself and my two classmates, Greg and Jake," Lacson said in a statement. He was referring to opposition Sen. Gregorio Honasan and Army Brig. Gen. Marcelino Malajacan, who also went into hiding after the Arroyo administration ordered their arrest on suspecion of being coup plotters.

Lacson, who is running for the Senate under the opposition coalition Puwersa ng Masa-Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino, said he was against postponing the polls "since I have a strong chance of making it based on the support I have received and continue to receive from various sectors and civil society groups,"

"Let it be clear that I want this election to push through and I would be the first one to oppose any moves to postpone it," Lacson stressed.

He dismissed the attempt to link the series of robberies in Metro Manila to the terror campaign as a "cheap scenario."

Meanwhile, Teresita Ang See, leader of the ethnic Chinese community, belied reports that certain Filipino-Chinese businessmen identified with Estrada have raised P1 billion to finance the rallies of Estrada supporters at EDSA and the Labor Day assault on Malacañang.

"Never in the history of the Filipino-Chinese community have people given that kind of amount, " Ang See said.

She cited the economic slump in the country as proof that the 18 businessmen cited in the report could not raise P1 billion to bankroll a coup attempt.

"In the first place, there is no such liquidity at this point when our business climate is down," she said.

PNP chief Director General Leandro Mendoza clarified that the report is raw, adding that he has now even received a copy of it.

"I repeat: No such report has been submitted to me," Mendoza said. — With Sandy Araneta, Christina Mendez