AFP chief dismisses 'Oplan August Moon' in December

MANILA, Philippines - Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Victor Ibrado yesterday dismissed reports that an elite group of military men are plotting his ouster in December.

Ibrado is scheduled to retire on March 10 next year, or two months before the elections in May.

There were reports that Army chief Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit would replace Ibrado in December.

The reports cropped up after National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales assumed his post as Defense secretary, replacing Gilbert Teodoro who is running for president next year.

Ibrado noted the reports detailed the supposed plot by members of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1978 to install Bangit as the new AFP chief under “Oplan August Moon.”

Bangit also dismissed the reported plan on the first day that it cropped up, saying it was non-existent.

“You have talked about August Moon, September Moon and November Moon and here comes December again,” Ibrado said.

Ibrado stressed he intends to retire on his 56th birthday in March.

Bangit, on the other hand, said he is already content with his position as Army chief.

He said he has high respect for Ibrado, who was his predecessor as Army chief before he was promoted to AFP chief of staff.

Gonzales said he would never allow the military to be used in partisan political activities.

He also said there will be elections next year, denying reports that he would initiate August Moon, a supposed plot to keep President Arroyo in power beyond 2010 by creating a military-backed transition government led by Bangit, her former presidential security group chief.

The supposed plot seeks to preserve Mrs. Arroyo’s power beyond her legal term through the appointment of members of the PMA Class 1978, who are known Arroyo loyalists, to key military positions.

Reporters covering the defense beat received e-mail statements saying the appointment of Gonzales “could signal a major revamp in December.”

Gonzales, however, stressed there would be no major changes in the military leadership under his term as defense chief except to sustain the anti-terror campaign.

Gonzales also stressed his duty to protect the image of the military under his term.   – With James Mananghaya