EDITORIAL - Lessons not learned

What if they called a revolution and nobody came? Junior military officers saw the results when they staged a mutiny two years ago, launching what they hoped would be another people power revolt from a posh apartment complex in the heart of Makati. The officers were charismatic, and some of their grievances were legitimate. But the nation simply yawned, and placed bets on how long the putsch would last – less than 24 hours, as it turned out. By day’s end the officers had surrendered, their promising military careers ruined.

Yet certain groups can’t seem to learn their lessons. Today government troops are once again on red alert, not just because of the usual workers’ mass gatherings in connection with Labor Day, but also because it is the anniversary of the 2001 riots that ended with a foiled attempt to return an ousted president to power. And as in previous anniversaries, the nation is once again awash with rumors of coup attempts and destabilization plots.

At least this time some of the usual suspects seem to be staying out of trouble. Deposed President Joseph Estrada disclosed he had turned down an invitation from certain retired military officers to join a "council" or junta that would be installed once President Arroyo is toppled from power. Yesterday the officers led by former Army chief Fortunato Abat surfaced and urged the people to join their Coalition for National Salvation, even as their former boss, Fidel Ramos, distanced himself from any destabilization attempt.

Except for the usual agitators in so-called civil society, however, the public didn’t seem interested in salvation. As in the 2003 mutiny, by afternoon yesterday it was clear to the coalition members that the warm bodies weren’t arriving to support their cause.

That didn’t stop government troops from maintaining their alert. This will continue at least until tomorrow, when supporters of Estrada and his late friend Fernando Poe Jr. gather to celebrate a milestone – not the anniversary of a failed siege at Malacañang, but the 100th birthday of Estrada’s mother. Will there be trouble? Yesterday’s events should give agitators an indication of the public mood.