AFP chief urges soldiers to ignore coup rumors

FORT MAGSAYSAY, Palayan City, Philippines – Armed Forces chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang. Jr. is calling on soldiers to ignore coup “rumors and hearsay” and remain professional and focused on their job.

Catapang aired his message before soldiers and officers of the 7th Infantry Division here on Monday amid reports that some military officers and their civilian backers were planning a coup against the Aquino administration.

The plotters reportedly were taking advantage of the public outrage over the Mamasapano incident and the President’s perceived mishandling of the crisis to attract supporters and sympathizers.

The administration has been parrying accusations that it had ignored distress calls from Special Action Force (SAF) commandos who came under fire from Muslim rebels after killing Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, last Jan. 25 in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

The clash left dozens killed, including 44 SAF men.

Catapang said the Mamasapano incident was “very unfortunate” but that the Philippine National Police (PNP) is already investigating it through the Board of Inquiry.

The AFP chief met with 7th ID officials and soldiers led by Major Gen. Glorioso Miranda.

In Zamboanga City, police chief Senior Superintendent Angelito Casimiro also dismissed talk of a brewing uprising by some policemen.

“We do not have information like that as we are preoccupied with addressing (bombing and kidnapping) threats,” Casimiro said.

Alert vs misinformation

Rear Admiral Reynaldo Yoma, chief of Naval Forces Western Mindanao and head of the Joint Task Group Zambasulta, also dismissed the coup rumors, saying efforts were being made to ensure military personnel would not fall victim to misinformation.

Yoma said he and his men had worked closely with members of the 84th and 55th SAF units who figured in the Jan. 25 clash with Muslim rebels, particularly in crushing a siege by the Moro National Liberation Front in September 2013.

He also emphasized the importance of coordination between the police and the military in every operation.

“We strictly abide by the letter directives jointly signed by Westmincom (Western Mindanao Command) and the DIPO (Directorate for Integrated Police Operation) Western Mindanao. So we see to it all operations are based on joint letter directives,” Yoma said.

“Of course, when we do it on our own it does not necessarily mean the other line is not informed,” Yoma added.      

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front said its men were defending themselves against the SAF commandos who launched the operation against Marwan without coordinating with the ceasefire committee.

The MILF is in peace talks with the government.

Protest actions

Meanwhile, militant workers are gearing for protest actions to dramatize their disappointment over the House of Representatives’ decision to suspend its investigation into the Mamasapano incident.

They also called on President Aquino to step down for reportedly mishandling the incident and for allowing US forces to join in local anti-terror operations.

“More and more workers and Filipinos are seeing the need for Aquino to resign and for an end to US military intervention in the country. We are calling on them to join our protests and make our voices heard through various means,” Roger Soluta, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) secretary-general, said.

According to Soluta, the President’s allies in Congress are obviously helping Aquino cover up the involvement of the US government by suspending indefinitely the investigation.

“The cover-up being carried out by Aquino’s allies shows the extent to which the US government and the Aquino regime will go in order to evade accountability,” he said.

KMU plans to hold protest rallies on Friday at the Plaza Miranda, on Feb. 25, the 29th anniversary of the People Power revolution; and on Feb. 27 at Mendiola.

Soluta said Filipinos, particularly workers, need to express their outrage and call for accountability for the Mamasapano tragedy.– With Roel Pareño, Mayen Jaymalin