‘Coup recruitment slows down’

Anti-government forces have reportedly slowed down in their recruitment of disgruntled police and military elements after their activities were exposed by some officers they had approached earlier to join their ranks.

The so-called EDSA III forces are reportedly out to unseat President Arroyo by sabotaging power plants and communication transmission facilities in several parts of the country.

Police and military sources claimed those who have been trying to recruit them suddenly became silent, most them no longer seen in several gatherings of police and military personnel in the past two days.

"Perhaps they (recruiters) have felt the heat and are now reassessing their position and strategy. We don’t know if the same thing happened in our golf courses out there," one of the sources said.

In the past, golf courses, clubs and fairways were key places where coup plotters recruit possible members and plan their moves. This reportedly happened in the launch of EDSA II in January 2001.

Sources claimed they expect the anti-government group, despite their silence, will continue their activities to meet their self-imposed timetable to move against the government on or before New Year’s Eve.

Aside from recruiting members in the police and military, the group was monitored to be convincing dismissed police and military personnel who want to return to service by promising them instant "reinstatement" under a new government.

Earlier, the same sources said they were approached by their colleagues to join the anti-government forces, or at the very least, look the other way.

Meanwhile, some police officials based in Southern Luzon also confirmed the growing number of their colleagues are being enticed to join the EDSA III forces.

"For now, we are not doing anything about this, as we’re more preoccupied with our handling of and dealings with the communist threat," apolice official told The STAR.

Earlier reports said the EDSA III forces’ destabilization plot was uncovered was uncovered following revelations that a breakaway faction of the Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabansa (RAM) has been traying to gain wider support for its cause among colleagues in the police and military organizations.

Sources said the plotters were planning to raise such issues as corruption, rising prices of basic commodities and growing demoralization in the ranks to justify their planned uprising by year-end.

A widespread blackout covering at least Metro Manila, Southern Tagalog and Central Luzon would signal the attack by anti-government forces, according to sources, who added that this will push through in December if the recruitment of uniformed personnel was successful.

Soldiers and policemen allegedly involved in the destabilization activities were associated with the camps of Sen. Gregorio Honasan, a former Army colonel cashiered for leading a series of failed coup attempts against the Aquino administration, and Sen. Panfilo Lacson, former chief of the Philippine National Police and an ally of oustedPresident Estrada, who is standing trial for the capital offense of plunder.