PNP still monitors players in foiled 2006 coup

A year after, some of the people involved in the attempt to overthrow the government are still being monitored by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

According to Senior Superintendent Asher Dolina, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-National Capital Region (CIDG-NCR), they are still monitoring the movements of the other players involved in the foiled Feb. 24 coup attempt last year.

"The PNP is not resting," Dolina told The STAR. "We don’t discount the possibility that there are still people who do not want peaceful environment. We are still monitoring them. We want our people to have safer place, which is conducive to tourism and investors."

Dolina said the individuals implicated in foiled coup attempt have been charged before the Department of Justice.

Among those charged is Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran, who remains under hospital arrest.

Five other party-list representatives were also charged with rebellion.

Bayan Muna Reps. Satur Ocampo, Teddy Casiño and Joel Virador, Liza Maza of Gabriela and Rafael Mariano of Anakpawis later sought refuge at the House of Representatives under the protection of Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. The militant lawmakers were later known as the "Batasan Five."

In coordination with the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP), Dolina and his men were able to arrest six officers of the mutinous Magdalo group and former senator Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan.

Dolina added they have identified the other players and it will be a matter of time before their names will be revealed after investigators have gathered the evidence against them.

A year after the failed coup attempt, the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines have listed around 200 people involved in the foiled power grab.

PNP chief Director General Oscar Calderon, for his part, said the worst may be over.

"Wala na (No more) destabilization threat because the government has already addressed all the concerns," Calderon said.

He said the principal actors in the failed coup attempt are now in custody, which gives the assurance that all had been taken care of.

The discovery of a plot to launch a coup forced President Arroyo to declare a week-long state of emergency and ordered all of those involved in the power grab rounded up.

The President said there is a conspiracy to overthrow the government by a group in tactical alliance with the communists coinciding with the 20th celebration of the first EDSA revolution.