AFP spokesman: Soldiers won't join coup

MANILA, Philippines - Soldiers will not join ouster plots against Presideng Benigno Aquino III because they have learned from the experiences of those whose careers were ruined after joining coups, the military said Monday.

Armed Forces public affairs chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc said there are no valid reasons to withdraw their support from the Aquino administration, which is facing a backlash over the way it handled the aftermath of the Mamasapano clash.

“We have a lot of examples of soldiers whose careers were destroyed by people who lured them into joining coup attempts,” Cabunoc said in an interview.

“I’m especially referring to the enlisted personnel. Some of them are discharged from the service and some of them were demoted to the lowest ranks and their families were affected by these incidents,” he added.

Cabunoc said among those who have learned from the lessons of the past is Armed Forces chief Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr., who joined ouster plots against the Marcos dictatorship during his younger years.

Catapang was a member of the Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM), a group of officers who were disgruntled by the military corruption during the time of former President Ferdinand Marcos. The group was one of the key players of the 1986 Edsa Revolution that toppled the Marcos regime and restored democracy in the country.

“Gen. Catapang has learned from past incidents. He believes that soldiers should not resort to violence and uprisings to promote change,” Cabunoc said.

“We can do several things within our levels of influence. In his visits, he always reminds soldiers about the importance of chain of command and professionalism,” he added.

Cabunoc said soldiers who would join anti-government uprisings would be charged before the civilian and military courts. He reiterated that the military would remain loyal to the constitution and the chain of command.

“If there are officials who are trying to persuade us to join coup attempts, we will not follow them. They are not part of our chain of command,” Cabunoc added.

The public outrage over the Aquino administration’s handling of the Mamaspaano issue has sparked rumors that some military and police officers are planning to oust the Aquino administration.

There are speculations that some uniformed personnel are unhappy with President Aquino’s response to the Mamasapano clash, which claimed the lives of 44 members of the Special Action Force.

Last week, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago claimed to have received intelligence reports about the plan of some groups to destabilize the government.

Santiago declined to name the individuals behind the ouster plot but revealed that they are financed by a “very rich man.”

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin admitted receiving such reports but claimed that they are still unverified. – with Keith Calayag