MANILA, 20 October 2005— The Philippine military has began an inquiry into rumors of plots by disgruntled soldiers to seize power, an army spokesman said yesterday, as President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo faced more protests by foes trying to oust her.
Arroyo, who survived an impeachment attempt by her political opponents last month, has been embroiled in a crisis since early June over allegations she cheated her way to a fresh term in last year’s election and that members of her family are corrupt.
Col. Tristan Kison, an army spokesman, said the chain of command remained solid, denying media reports that some officers were willing to risk their careers by plotting against Arroyo, whose position makes her commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
Still, he said, the army did not treat the rumors lightly.
“We’re seriously looking into it,” said Kison. “Any unconstitutional means, such as a coup, will only destroy the unity of our nation and run counter to the welfare and interest of our people.”
Another officer, who declined to be identified, told Reuters the army has procedures to detect and prevent any breakdown in discipline, including regular headcounts in the barracks.
Since last month, rumors have been swirling about a possible army intervention to end the political turmoil, which has rattled investors over fears the government is being distracted from its reforto improve revenues and cut debt.
Kison appealed to the public not to believe the rumors, including reports by local media of a secret army group plotting against Arroyo.
“The idea of coup plotters sharing their plan to oust an incumbent president with a reporter is ludicruous,” said Eduardo Ermita, Arroyo’s executive secretary.
An opposition lawmaker, Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, said the reports about plots to unseat Arroyo could be “a yardstick of the sentiments of soldiers” against the government.
Talk of military restiveness picked up when a general and a colonel were relieved of their commands after they testified at a Senate inquiry into alleged tapping of Arroyo’s telephone conversations during the 2004 election.
While the Philippines has seen at least a dozen coup attempts since the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos was ousted by an army-backed popular uprising in 1986, senior commanders have vowed to uphold the constitution and punish errant troops.
Since Monday, about 2,000 farmers and fishermen from poor areas south of Manila have been marching toward the capital to join labor, student and leftist activists planning protests near the presidential palace on Friday.
The national police warned protesters yesterday not to provoke anti-riot squads, which last week used fire hoses to disperse small marches that included a former vice president, several lawmakers and church leaders.
Cabinet Members Lead Protest
Meanwhile, former members of President Gloria Arroyo’s Cabinet led a small protest near the presidential palace yesterday against the government’s tough new policy restricting opposition rallies.
The former officials, led by ex-Education Secretary Florencio Abad, who resigned in July and called on Arroyo to step down over allegations of cheating in last year’s election.
After recently dispersing protest marches outside the Malacanang presidential palace, police allowed Abad’s group to hold a brief program and prayers on the historic Mendiola bridge, which has become a shrine for protesters, several hundred meters from the palace gates.
Police last Friday turned water cannons on a protest march led by a former Philippine Vice President Teofisto Guingoa calling for Arroyo’s ouster.
Jose Luis Gascon, a former education undersecretary, read a prayer seeking “clarity of mind among Cabinet members that their loyalty is to the people, not just to the president.”
Police refused to allow the marchers, numbering only about 30, on the street. A group of policewomen escorted them single file on a sidewalk toward the bridge where they offered flowers at a monument of the late newspaper publisher Joaquin Roces, who opposed the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
Showing defiance, Abad, former Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman, former peace adviser Teresita Deles and former anti-poverty commission chief Imelda Nicolas and about 30 members of the anti-Arroyo group Black and White Movement raised clenched fists as they sang a patriotic song.
The group was allowed to enter the nearby San Beda Church, still flanked by policemen. After 15 minutes, group left, still escorted by policemen until the foot of the bridge.
