Coup? What coup?

MANILA, Philippines – Why would you fight a government that is fighting corruption in our system?

This is how an Army colonel based in Mindanao, who asked not to be named, reacted to reports that retired military officers are agitating soldiers for a plot to unseat President Benigno Aquino III.

“No one should underestimate our soldiers and their capability to [distinguish] a sincere reform advocate from those who merely want to create chaos in pursuit of their selfish interests,” the colonel told Rappler.

Sen Antonio Trillanes IV earlier said he has received information that retired officers who lost positions of power in the new government are asking soldiers to join them in anti-government moves.

But the military said on Tuesday, March 6, that morale in the organization “remains high.”

“We sincerely appreciate the information that Senator Trillanes provided,” AFP spokesperson Col Arnulfo Burgos said, adding that the military will “closely coordinate” with the senator to ensure that any destabilization plan will not succeed.

“We have been taking this very seriously to continuously monitor, verify and validate this report,” Burgos said.

Burgos said that AFP chief Gen Jessie Dellosa is in “constant communication” with field commanders to get a sense of soldier morale.

“We would like to ensure the public that the AFP that we have right now is well informed, disciplined, and professional,” Burgos said. “ Any move or attempt to destabilize the organization will not flourish.”

Another military source who refused to be named because he is not allowed to speak to the media said that intelligence agencies have checked the report and found “nothing substantial,” pointing out that the AFP has “improved its grievance mechanism.”

PNoy is source

Even Malacañang is now downplaying the alleged coup threats.

Yet it was President Aquino himself who bared a supposed plot to oust him in a speech before the Presidential Security Group last week.

The Palace is now saying they wouldn’t go to the extent of verifying such reports.

“How can it be successful—assuming, for the sake of argument, if there is one—when the President has launched his several programs for the benefit of the soldiers and the policemen?” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda told reporters.

Since the economy is “not bothered” by the coup rumors, Lacierda said the Palace will not bother to ask Trillanes to back up his claims – as a matter of courtesy to the senator. – Rappler.com