Gov't officials laugh off coup rumors

Malacañang and security officials dismissed yesterday as coffee-shop talk reports about a coup attempt planned for this weekend to topple President Estrada.

Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado said it would be difficult to believe a coup was brewing if the date for its launch was published in media.

"Simple logic tells you that one of the most important elements in a coup is secrecy," Mercado told Reuters. "This thing is no-thing but the usual loose talk that we normally hear in coffee shops here in Manila."

National Security Adviser Alexander Aguirre said he considered the report baseless but added that security forces were naturally alert for anything that threatened to disturb peace and order.

"We don't see any movement (in the military). I think that is only propaganda," Aguirre said in a radio interview.

"Nevertheless, our security forces are alert to anything that will disturb the peace," he added.

Intelligence agencies were also put on alert regarding the reported military takeover.

"There is nothing like being careful. We are regularly checking the veracity of these reports," Executive Secretary Ronaldo Zamora said in a separate radio interview.

He said the report that disgruntled members of the military could launch a coup this weekend while Mr. Estrada is visiting the Visayas could be part of a "destabilization" plot by political rivals.

The plan, Zamora said, has little chance of success.

"If a coup d' etat is announced, then I don't think it's ever going to happen," he said.

For his part, Presidential Spokesman Fernando Barican said if there are preparations for coups, "media entities should the first ones to be worried about because they will be the first ones to be closed down if ever there is a coup."

The coup plotters reportedly include officers who took part in seven failed coup attempts against former President Corazon Aquino from 1986 to 1989.

But Lt. Gen. Jose Calimlim, chief of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said he had already talked to the alleged coup plotters.

"I talked to these people last week and they all said that a coup to be launched at this time will not prosper," Calimlim said.

He said among those whom he talked with were the founders and members of the Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabansa (RAM).

Sen. Gregorio Honasan, a former Army colonel who led several coup attempts against Aquino, also denied the coup rumors.

According to Metro Manila Police Office director Chief Superintendent Edgar Aglipay, he said he had a recent talk with Honasan, his classmate at the Philippine Military Academy, regarding the coup attempt.

He said Honasan told him that there is no such military adventurism.

Mr. Estrada in recent months has been forced to deny repeated rumors of an impending coup amid accusations of graft, corruption and cronyism in his 21-month-old administration.

A survey last week showed 44 percent of Metro Manila residents were dissatisfied with Mr. Estrada's leadership in February, up from 39 percent the previous month.

Last month, Asiaweek magazine reported that 54 percent of Metro Manila residents were disenchanted with the President.

Recently a novel form of "silent protest" was launched in the form of exclamation mark stickers that sprouted across the metropolis to symbolize disgust against the presidency.

The perception that the government has been unable to prevent a series of oil price hikes has also eaten into Mr. Estrada's support. On Thursday, thousands of public transport workers took to the streets demanding his ouster.

Adding to his woes, the Chief Executive was forced to fire his chief of staff, Aprodicio Laquian, for joking that the President formulated government policy during late-night drinking sessions with his friends.

The revelation, quickly denied by Mr. Estrada and dismissed as light-hearted banter by Laquian, further fueled public discontent.

A source in Camp Aguinaldo said the military is indeed worried over Mr. Estrada's popularity rating, adding that such a rating only emboldens disgruntled officers to stage a coup.

"We know from these 'readings' that there are those who will take advantage of the situation," said the officer, who requested anonymity.

"Admittedly, the President has many faults. He loves his friends too much at the expense of the country's welfare. Some people, including politicians and businessmen, are trying to push us to mount a coup," he said.

"They're saying now is the time," the source added.

However, the officer said they cannot "allow themselves to be taken for a ride by these people."

"Stability is paramount in these times," he said.

Meanwhile, Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, a former Armed Forces chief, expressed concern that the series of events during the past seven days could be danger signs that might bring down the country to its knees.

He said he is not raising an alarm, but he nevertheless urged the government to take a serious look at these danger signs.

"It is time that government officials sit down and examine these developments because, if this will not be checked, this might escalate to civil disorder," he said.

In other developments yesterday, a militant labor group expressed full support to leaders of the so-called "silent protest."

However, the Kilusang Mayo Uno said it would be better if its movers come out in the open to remove suspicions that such a group is not composed of "opportunists."

Meanwhile, a congressman said leaders of this "silent" group are nothing but a small alliance of political has-beens who do not represent the sentiments of the people.

Camiguin Rep. Jurdin Romualdo described the members of the group as "disgruntled politicians who probably lost in the 1998 elections and who are merely making a political statement in preparation for the 2001 elections."

"This type of sour-graping is an act of elitist circles who cannot accept political defeat," he said in a statement.

For his part, Rep. Rodolfo Albano III (Lamp, Isabela) accused "Forbes Park critics" of adding their weight to a concerted effort to destabilize the government. -- With Marichu Villanueva, Perseus Echeminada, Cecille Suerte Felipe, wire reports