PNP: EDSA anniversary plot neutralized

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday it had neutralized a plot by loyalists of jailed former President Joseph Estrada to take advantage of the people power anniversary celebration that is set to begin today.

PNP chief Director General Leandro Mendoza made the announcement hours before he was to meet with Chief Superintendent Victor Batac, who is supposedly leading the plot.

"I was Vic Batac’s godfather in his wedding so he comes to me often. His name appeared in the newspapers. Maybe he has something to say to me," Mendoza said.

He said he was "open" to assigning Batac to a responsible position in the PNP but stressed that this was not an attempt to "buy" the officer’s cooperation.

According to police intelligence sources, Batac was allegedly involved in a "major mobilization" of leftists, rightists and Estrada loyalists for a "people power 4" uprising against the Arroyo administration.

Mendoza said Batac recently sent an emissary to convey his willingness to cooperate with authorities.

The PNP chief also revealed that certain groups, whom he refused to identify, are "contracting" urban poor groups to conduct demonstrations as part of the supposed people power 4 uprising.

According to the police, Batac was "deeply involved" in the planning of the event along with communist propagandist Ariel Almendras and police Superintendent Diosdado Valeroso.

Under the plan, police said, Almendras would recruit leftist groups while Valeroso, also linked with the rightist fraternity Young Officers Union (YOU), would provide support to the Estrada loyalists.

At the same time, fugitive Estrada loyalist leader Ronald Lumbao, who was among those charged for the Labor Day riots last year, would supposedly get his people to provoke policemen to violently disperse the crowd, the police said.

But police intelligence officials said the groups canceled their plan after it was reported in the media that military and police intelligence units were already monitoring their movements.

Malacañang, for its part, urged Lumbao to surrender to the authorities and face the rebellion charges filed against him in court.

National Security Adviser Roilo Golez and Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao both challenged Lumbao and denied reports that they had sent emissaries to persuade Lumbao to support the Arroyo administration.

Tiglao denied calling or trying to get in touch with Lumbao, who now supposedly leads a group called Urban Poor Liberation Front.

Golez also dismissed the report that he sent emissaries to the Estrada loyalist leader but added the government was willing to talk with Lumbao if the fugitive leader so wishes.

"Lumbao just invented that story. It’s not true. I did not send an emissary but if he wants to talk to me, I’m available. He can call me or text me. My cellphone number is (0917) 539-5095," Golez said.

Meanwhile, President Arroyo is expected to join former presidents Corazon Aquino and Fidel Ramos in the "solemn and austere" rites kicking off this year’s people power celebrations at the EDSA Shrine at 5:30 p.m.

The commemoration begins today, the anniversary of the people power 2 revolution that ousted Estrada, and will end on Feb. 26, the day former strongman Ferdinand Marcos fled the country after the people power 1 uprising.

Mrs. Arroyo, Aquino and Ramos are scheduled to attend the ecumenical Mass to be celebrated by Manila auxiliary bishop Socrates Villegas, curé of the EDSA Shrine in Mandaluyong City.

But before the Mass, the President is scheduled to spend the morning in the new town of Tagkawayan in Quezon, where she will distribute gifts to some 200 families.

She is also expected to visit Batangas City for the groundbreaking of the Batangas Port Development Project.

After the Mass, she is set to have a dinner with urban poor groups at the Payatas district in Quezon City. - With Marichu Villanueva