Police on normal alert nationwide amid fresh coup rumors

Police have lowered their alert level nationwide after the massive protest actions by the opposition and militant groups in their bid to unseat President Arroyo had apparently ceased.

The Philippine National Police lowered the alert to normal as PNP chief Director General Arturo Lomibao left the country to attend the 74th Interpol general assembly in Berlin, Germany from Sept. 19 to 22.

"The normal alert does not mean our policemen will be relaxed as they have to monitor criminals, who might take advantage of the situation," PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil said.

Admitting rumors of a possible coup plot spread since Saturday night, Bataoil noted that the normal status would also quash any apprehension on another power grab against Mrs. Arroyo.

"There were text messages last night (about the coup) but we would like to assure you that as far as the PNP is concerned, we are solid, it is far from our mind," he said.

Bataoil advised the public against believing text messages detailing another coup plot being hatched against the President. "Just delete the message or send it to us (PNP) so we can take proper actions," he said.

Bataoil said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has even clarified there is no unauthorized troop movements.

He said the latest troop deployments was in the Visayas region.

Bataoil also said reports of an alleged coup have been circulating since the election period last year.

He admitted though that every report of a coup plot is being looked into by the PNP.

‘Complete Nonsense’

Meanwhile, former US Embassy Charge d’ Affaires Joseph Mussomeli denied yesterday a published report that he had warned of a coup against President Arroyo, possibly to be launched last May, in a report sent last April to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Mussomeli, who was not the charge in April — Francis Ricciardone was ambassador at the time — told The STAR the report was "complete nonsense."

"Based on our monitoring wala talaga. The PNP did not monitor anything," Bataoil said.

He stressed the PNP chief’s warning against policemen breaking the chain of command and joining destabilization moves.

Since Lomibao’s appointment in March 2005, the PNP chief has been conducting rounds in many police stations to feel the pulse of ordinary policemen and hear and address their sentiments.

But with Lomibao’s five-day absence to attend the Interpol conference, Deputy Director General Oscar Calderon, PNP’s Deputy Chief for Administration (DCA), has been designated the acting PNP chief.

PNP sources said Lomibao initially tapped Deputy Director General Avelino Razon Jr., to be the acting PNP chief because Calderon was initially part of the Philippine delegation to the Interpol conference.

Lomibao had signed a one-page order and sent it to the office of Razon on Friday.

But the following day, Lomibao recalled the order of Razon’s designation as acting PNP chief and designated Calderon, for still unknown reasons.

"With 10 months before Lomibao retires, medyo mainit na ang labanan sa pag-ka PNP chief," a police official said.

"Obviously, one doesn’t want to be overtaken while one is quite in a hurry."