RAM on coup plots: Give us a break

MANILA, Philippines — As far as the group of former military officials known to be expert coup plotters and destabilizers is concerned, the Aquino government is safe from being ousted.

Ex-Navy Commodore Rex Robles, a member of the Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM), said the group's military adventurism days are over.

"Honestly, the republic is safe as far as RAM is concerned. PNoy is safe," Robles told  a weekly  media forum at Greenhills, San Juan City.

Robles said RAM members only meet once a week to share old stories and "nonsense."

"RAM is having a fun time talking among ourselves about about nonsense. One time we visited [RAM member Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile] and we were suggesting things like 'Sir, would you like us to handle this side of your publicity? Nothing dangerous to PNoy' He just said 'No, no let's just sit and eat dinner'," Robles said.

"He just wanted to exchange old stories with us; things that do not concern at all safety of the state," he added.

He noted that most of them are in their 70s and will not participate to overthrow the current administration. "Give RAM a break," Robles said.

Robles said Enrile, whom they refer to as "JPE," even warned them in one of their visits to the senator to be careful because RAM members are being monitored.

"We were warned by JPE about a few weeks ago to stop meeting. We were meeting once a week with my old RAM buddies. He said 'You better watch out because they are now watching you'," Robles said.

Enrile is now under hospital arrest for a plunder and graft cases before the Sandiganbayan in connection with the P10 billion pork barrel scam.

Robles added that he does not see a chance of the military to stage a coup despite the Mamasapano incident.

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"If the money is talked about, to me, it's a sure sign that [coup] will fail even if it has some roots somewhere ... If you include too much into planning, it's the main reason it will fail," Robles said.

"Before ... there are retired personnel who are going around and sell or rent out firearms, including ships. It's part of the industry ... may gusto lang kumita, may iba d'yan na baka sakaling bigyan sya ng pera para sya tumahimik," he added.

RAM had been instrumental in overthrowing the Marcos administration during the historic EDSA People Power Revolution, the anniversary of which will be celebrated next week.

The group had also a hand in the several botched coup attempts against the late President Corazon Aquino, the mother of President Benigno Aquino III.