Government forces on alert for ‘Final Talk 2’ on May 1

Security forces have been placed on high alert ahead of an expected "Oplan Final Talk 2," or the last-ditch efforts of extremist forces to overthrow the government, on May 1.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said security forces have been placed on heightened alert in anticipation of mass protest actions by extremist forces taking advantage of the Labor Day celebrations.

AFP Public Information Office deputy chief Lt. Cmdr. Earl Ivan Pabalan said the military is focusing its efforts on neutralizing "Final Talk 2."

Pabalan said the plan involves the gathering of all leftist and rightist forces during Labor Day to advance on Malacañang and trigger the ouster of President Arroyo and the overthrow of her government.

The plan is similar to the violent riots staged by urban poor followers of deposed President Joseph Estrada on May 1, 2001.

Security officials said details of Final Talk 2 were discovered among the documents seized from recaptured Magdalo officer 1Lt. Lawrence San Juan.

Final Talk 2 is a sub-plot of Oplan Hackle, the supposed overall blueprint for the takeover of the government.

The plan reportedly details last-ditch efforts of rightist forces to merge with the left to gather at least 500,000 rallyists on May 1 to trigger the overthrow of the government.

Pabalan dismissed yesterday as "psychological warfare" the warning aired by fugitive Magdalo officers about "making their presence felt" in the days leading up to May 1.

He said the AFP top brass took note of the claims made by the fugitive Magdalo mutineers led by Army Lt. Sonny Sarmiento, who announced during a recent television interview plans "to make their presence known" on May 1.

Sarmiento, who is among the remaining three Magdalo rebel officers who are still at large, also declared they would come out "just to let the public know that disgruntled junior officers are still around."

"We consider it as psy-war or psy-ops (psychological warfare or psychological operations)," Pabalan said.

"We shall consider it only as a statement coming from a renegade officer," Pabalan said, adding that the threats won’t affect the AFP’s May 1 preparations.

Pursuant to its security preparation for May 1, AFP chief Gen. Generoso Senga directed all military units to be "extra vigilant."

Senga maintained, though, that the AFP has prepared itself for the worst-case scenario.

"Even if we are not on red alert, if in case there are groups that are out to distract the peaceful flow of any situation, the AFP would be ready to respond in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP)," Pabalan said.

Pabalan also explained any upgrading of the alert status would depend entirely on the prevailing security situation.

He made assurances that the AFP is fully prepared for a repeat of the May 1, 2001 riots staged by Estrada loyalists or the Feb. 24 foiled coup attempt.

"We are confident that na ’yung mga nagplano na mag-withdraw (those who are planning to withdraw) support are those (who were already identified) and as far as the AFP is concerned, we would not experience another kind of activity similar to that which happened last Feb. 24," said Pabalan.

The plan was foiled and scuttled following the arrest of the key coup leaders that triggered the declaration of the national state of emergency by President Arroyo on Feb. 24.

The key figures in the failed power grab have been relieved of their command and taken into custody for court-martial proceedings. Among them are Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, erstwhile commander of the Army’s crack First Scout Ranger Regiment.

On the other hand, presidential chief of staff Michael Defensor warned Malacañang would not hesitate to impose another state of national emergency should the May 1 rallies escalate into violence.

Defensor made the warning after labor leaders announced their plans to participate in the May 1 rallies.

Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) chairman Elmer Labog said the government cannot prevent them from participating in the Labor Day celebrations being an internationally recognized occasion.

Labog claimed they are expecting some 30,000 workers to join their mass action and celebration to be held at the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila.

He said they were able to secure a permit from the Manila city government.

The Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL) also warned the government against preventing workers from celebrating Labor Day.

"We will hold the traditional Labor Day march and any untoward violence will not come from the workers’ line," said Josua Mata, APL secretary general.

"As far as we are concerned, Labor Day is a legitimate venue for the workers to exercise their constitutional right to freedom of assembly," Mata said.

In a related development, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced the holding of a big jobs fair on Labor Day.

DOLE said a total of 150 local employers and overseas recruitment agencies will make available some 30,000 employment opportunities for job seekers.

Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas said the nation’s largest mainstream labor union, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), would host the fair’s main event. — With James Mananghaya