Yano said former officers involved have no capability to launch a coup
By JAY RUIZ
ABS-CBN News
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Alexander Yano declared that the new destabilization plot uncovered by the police is not a serious threat against the government since the military personnel involved are either retired from the service or on Absence Without Leave (AWOL).
Yano said that of the three who were arrested with lawyer Homobono Adaza and former Senior Superintendent Rafael Cardeno, only Col. Oscarlito Mapalo is in active service.
Yano clarified however that Mapalo has been AWOL and is facing charges in a court martial for escaping from house arrest and denouncing the promotions system in the military in 2004.
The other two former military personnel said Yano, retired Army Col. Ernie Amboy and retired Marines Col. Cesar de la Peña have retired from the service for many years and no longer have men under them.
Yano said there are no reports of recruitment from within the military.
He said that anybody can plan or attempt a coup, but as to the seriousness of the attempt, Yano said he believes that there is no reason for concern. He said that the names involved are the same since 2004 and that it is obvious they have not recruited any new personality.
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In fact, Yano said he will not conduct any loyalty checks in the military as far as he is concerned. He said he has no reason to doubt the loyalty of his men.
Since he assumed as AFP Chief of Staff, Yano has been going around different military camps to remind soldiers not to join any military adventurism since such act is treacherous to the military and the country.
He recently spoke to the Marines last Tuesday about the bad affects brought about by military adventurism.