'August Moon' in November hounds Gonzales

MANILA, Philippines - A day after assuming his post as defense secretary, former national security adviser Norberto Gonzales is being accused of putting in motion the so-called “Oplan August Moon,” a supposed plot to keep President Arroyo in power beyond 2010 by creating a military-backed transition government.

The supposed plot seeks to preserve Mrs. Arroyo’s power beyond her legal term by appointing to key military positions members of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1978, who are known to be Arroyo loyalists.

Camp Aguinaldo reporters yesterday received through email a statement saying Gonzales’ appointment “could signal a major revamp in December.”

The statement said that if the plan pushes through, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Victor Ibrado will be ousted in December and be replaced by Army commander Delfin Bangit, reportedly Arroyo’s favorite aide.

Bangit has repeatedly belied the allegation, saying he is happy being Army chief.

Part of the statement said: “Gonzales, with the backing of Class ’78, would lead the military-backed transition government that would reform the electoral system and amend the Constitution prior to the 2010 elections.”

Gonzales has insisted that there will be no major changes in the military. He also said that soldiers would not be allowed to participate in partisan politics.

The military also denied that the supposed plot exists. “Wala yan (That’s nothing),” said AFP Public Information Office (PIO) chief, Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr.

He said everything remains stable at the AFP.

“From our end, we heard nothing about it,” Brawner said of August Moon.

The statement also claimed that the elections in 2010 would stall the agenda of some members of Class ’78 who are after juicy posts in the military.