Reyes: I abandoned Estrada to prevent bloodshed

Armed Forces chief Gen. Angelo Reyes said yesterday he withdrew support from Joseph Estrada to head off bloodshed during a very "volatile" situation.

He stressed that the military should remember that the uprising against Estrada was the "unmistakable, very clear voice of the people," adding that the troops should always rally behind the people.

Reyes, along with Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado and the major service commanders and senior police officials, threw their support behind the civilian uprising against Estrada last Jan. 19 and marched to the Our Lady of EDSA Shrine in Mandaluyong City to underscore their support.

The move turned the tide against Estrada and brought an abrupt end to his tumultuous administration, paving the way for Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to assume the presidency.

The popular and bloodless uprising marked by massive street protests in Metro Manila and major cities nationwide was triggered by the collapse of an impeachment trial against Estrada, who was accused of bribery, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution.

Reyes said he received reports that certain military groups were preparing to "act up," while communist guerrillas were also headed for the metropolis for an unspecified purpose.

"When you merge all these and you have a very volatile situation, what will happen?" Reyes asked.

He said a small commotion or explosion would have precipitated chaos and catastrophe.

"If something had happened and blood flowed, it would have been very difficult to stop it," Reyes said in a radio interview.

Marine commandant Lt. Gen. Edgardo Espinosa confirmed that he was ready to mobilize some 300 soldiers armed with six tanks, a helicopter gunship and a fighter jet, but the plan was preempted by Reyes’ defection on Jan. 19.

Realizing that Estrada has lost public support and that the political upheaval could deteriorate, Reyes said he secretly left his office at Camp Aguinaldo to meet with Mrs. Arroyo and tell her of his decision.

A retired general tapped by the prosecution panel to provide security to the impeachment trial witnesses said days before the Jan. 19 defection he could tell Reyes was ready to leave Mr. Estrada.

"From his body language, we could tell he would side with the people," said Ret. Major Gen. Leo Alvez.

Reyes said he assured Mrs. Arroyo that he had no plan to stage a military takeover or establish a junta and would march with his men to the EDSA Shrine which served as the center stage of the popular revolt. — Jerry Botial