AFP to Noy: No coups

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) leadership assured incoming president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III yesterday that no one among its ranks would join efforts to topple his government.

In a press briefing, AFP deputy chief for operations Maj. Gen. Gaudencio Pangilinan said the military is aware of its responsibilities to protect the state and serve the people.

“The Armed Forces now is a lot more professional and focused than 10 to 15 years ago. Everyone in the armed forces knows (his) place in society,” Pangilinan said.

“The only coup d’etat we will mount this time is against corruption, poverty, insurgency.”

Asked if the next president would inherit a stable military, Pangilinan said: “That we can guarantee. (The AFP is) very stable.”

He stressed that the military’s objective is to address security threats like terrorism and insurgency and not to depose the government.

“There are a few rumors of this (adventurism)… but we don’t glorify them anymore,” Pangilinan said.

The military has played an important role in the survival of previous Philippine presidents.

Aquino’s mother, the late President Corazon Aquino, survived at least nine military uprisings that sought to bring down her administration.

The withdrawal of support by the military’s top brass resulted in the ouster of former President Joseph Estrada in 2001. His successor, President Arroyo, also had to deal with three coup attempts by military officers who decried the supposed corruption of her regime.

These are the Oakwood mutiny in 2003 led by former Navy Lt. and now Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, the Fort Bonifacio standoff in 2006 led by Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and Col. Ariel Querubin, and the Manila Peninsula siege led by Lim, Trillanes and fugitive Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon in 2007.

Pangilinan is optimistic that Aquino and the military would be able to work together harmoniously.