Military official: Something big uncovered in mutiny probe

The Armed Forces has uncovered what it described as "something big" in its ongoing investigation into the failed July 27 coup and hunt for the military putschists who are still at large.

"We received reports pertaining to the events on July 26 and 27, we have uncovered something big and we feel that it is a continuing thing," Armed Forces deputy chief of staff for intelligence (J-2) Maj. Gen. Pedro Cabuay told the House committee on defense yesterday.

In the resumption of the congressional inquiry on the failed power grab, Cabuay told lawmakers he still cannot reveal the details since it may compromise ongoing government operations.

Cabuay answered the questions thrown to him by congressmen led by committee chairman Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay, who noted Armed Forces chief Gen. Narciso Abaya failed to appear before the hearing.

Cabuay told the committee that Abaya and the J-2 with the Armed Forces deputy chief of staff for operations (J-3) are working "round the clock" because of the development.

In his letter addressed to the committee chairman, Abaya asked that he be excused from appearing "in the interest of national security."

"Inasmuch as we have yet to uncover the full extent of the mutiny, and the threat cannot be completely discounted, the ongoing investigations and operations require my direct and full attention," Abaya said.

Asked about the progress of the investigation and the hunt for the other rebel soldiers, Cabuay said the operations are ongoing.

"The difficult thing is, this is not just physical accounting (of soldiers) but accounting of the intentions of possible sympathizers," Cabuay said.– With Pamela Samia, Delon Porcalla