‘Trillanes caper was unplanned’
Military officials believe the standoff in
The six-hour drama started when Trillanes and Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim left a
Lim, who faces court-martial proceedings in connection with the failed February 2006 coup attempt, was testifying on the coup d’etat case against the Magdalo Group of Trillanes when they decided to walk out of the hearing.
They walked out into the streets and rallied the people to join them in the ouster of Mrs. Arroyo. They were later joined by civil society groups and key opposition figures led by former Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr.
It appeared to be a spur of the moment act on the part of Trillanes.
While talks of restiveness continue within the uniformed services, not a single serious power grab plan had been monitored by the intelligence community.
Even senior and middle-grade officers perceived to be critical of Mrs. Arroyo were surprised with Trillanes’ actions, this time with Lim, the former Army Scout Ranger chief.
Lim is the prosecution witness against Trillanes, who along with several Magdalo faction junior officers are accused in the
“There was no plan for a coup for now. If there was such a plan, maybe it was his (Trillanes),” a critic said.
Another officer said the move of Trillanes appeared to be only his own as they were not privy to or informed about his plan.
He said that if there was any serious coup d’etat being hatched, this could have come from within the ranks of the restive officers and enlisted personnel.
“He has no support. If there was such a plan, it could have come from us, but then he (Trillanes) made the initiative,” the officer said.
State prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera, however, claimed yesterday’s walkout in the courtroom was already planned by Trillanes.
“From all indications, everything was planned,” said Navera, one of the prosecutors during yesterday’s hearing.
Navera said that a few minutes before the hearing started, he noticed Trillanes and the other accused, including Lim, in a huddle.
According to Navera, Trillanes and his group had been acting “strangely,” saying this was the first time he saw them speaking in hushed voices.
Navera said Makati Judge Oscar Pimentel even allowed the prosecution’s motion to arrest Trillanes and Lim after they staged the walkout.
Navera said Pimentel granted the motion and issued a warrant of arrest for direct contempt in the wake of the walkout.
He said there were about 27 accused in the courtroom but about 15 of the accused did not join the walkout.
“This (direct contempt) is a continuing crime until they are brought back to court,” Navera explained, claiming also the military policemen escorting the accused officers appeared to be lax.
The military’s top leaders, Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. and Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano, were notably absent when Trillanes and his group walked out of court yesterday.
Esperon was with Yano in
Both senior military officers had to cut short their respective scheduled engagements and fly back to
This indicated the absence of any plan to launch another coup attempt.
“There was no plan. We decided against going there but we are closely watching the development. Anything can happen from here on. We can come in uninvited,” one military insider said.
It was gathered from among the restive officers that they are convinced another coup is not appropriate at this time.
One officer said the Christmas holiday is one of the reasons why a majority of the restive officers frown on the idea of launching a coup.
There were reports of ongoing recruitment for next year’s coup attempt but these were dismissed as plain rumors by the military.
“There is no serious threat that we have monitored,” according to Capt. Carlo Ferrer, spokesman for the National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM). - With Mike Frialde
- Latest
- Trending
