‘No coup but there are agitators’

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Army chief Lt. Gen. Gregorio Camiling dismissed yesterday reports of another military rebellion but warned that "agitators" are just waiting for an opportunity to strike amid the crisis created by the impeachment of Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr.

While Camiling stressed there are no immediate reports of another coup plot, he warned against military adventurism and told soldiers to stay focused on their mission.

"We should not be swayed by agitators. We have to maintain our neutrality and focus on our mission," Camiling told soldiers at the Armed Forces Southern Command here, one of the stops in a "farewell tour" he is undertaking before he retires in two weeks.

Camiling said he is convinced professional Filipino soldiers will defend the Constitution and remain mission oriented.

"I told them, let us not be diverted and remain focused on the mission. Kasi pag tayo ang natalo, nawala na pag-asa ang lahat (If we lose, everybody will lose hope)," he told reporters here.

Camiling assured the people that the military high command has been monitoring the national security situation since the failed July 27 mutiny, but warned of the presence of agitators within and outside the military ranks who might exploit the situation.

But Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Agnes Devanadera said hard core coup plotters who might take advantage of the crisis caused by the Davide impeachment have already been "isolated."

"The coup plotters are now back to square one. They are restrained and isolated," she said.

Devanadera heads the legal team prosecuting the cases against the Magdalo group which staged the failed uprising at the Oakwood Premier Ayala Center in the heart of Makati City’s central business district.

"The possibility of a coup d’etat at this point in time is near to impossible (since) the hard core military adventurers are in government custody. Besides, the people will never support any destabilization attempt," she said.

Davide had earlier warned of a "graver danger" of military adventurism which he claimed was created when the House of Representatives impeached Davide on Oct. 23.

Although there has since been a deadlock on when or if the impeachment trial will begin, some sectors expressed concern at another military rebellion should the impasse drag on.

President Arroyo has warned the military against intervening in the standoff between the House and the Supreme Court.

Mrs. Arroyo on Friday said the government will not hesitate to move decisively against those who intend to exploit the political crisis to foment violence. — With Perseus Echeminada