PAF chief dispels coup rumors

"There is no force that can mount a coup because the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) remains united, professional and constitutionally oriented, and nobody can destroy that unity."

Thus said Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Benjamin Defensor as he dispelled rumors about a coup against newly installed President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

"The Constitution is very clear. We are the protector of the people and the state," Defensor said as he affirmed the constitutionality of Mrs. Arroyo’s ascent to power by virtue of a popular, peaceful uprising.

Defensor said all the major service commands were in touch with each other in monitoring the situation on EDSA. "And we, the Armed Forces, went to EDSA II as one," Defensor said in a statement.

"The participation of the Armed Forces in EDSA II was to prevent the further deterioration of the political crisis we were in and to keep the Armed Forces united, professional and constitutionally oriented," he added.

Defensor said he led the Air Force to EDSA to show how a professional and united branch of the military could help prevent the deterioration of peace and order, and thus assure the people and the state of protection.

"You should have observed that no plane flew during EDSA II. It was because every airman was waiting for my signal. It was only the following day after I had given the signal that Air Force planes hovered around Mala-cañang to signify the victory of the people and show who had control of the air," he added.

Defensor is the only commanding general and Philippine Military Academy graduate who has been accepted as a regular member of the National ROTC Alumni Association Inc., the biggest fraternity of officers in the Armed Forces.

"He (Defensor) pulled us all to EDSA," said Brig. Gen. Nemesio Sigaya, commander of the Air Defense Command.

Earlier, Armed Forces chief Gen. Angelo Reyes held a dialogue with all members of the Air Force at Villamor Air Base to thank them for their "crucial" participation in EDSA II.

Sigaya said Defensor led the Air Force not only in combat, but also in rescue and relief operations and many civilian assistance activities.