Golez clears COPA, but...

National Security Adviser Roilo Golez cleared yesterday leaders of the "civil society" group Council of Philippine Affairs (COPA) of charges that they were involved in a plot to topple the 15-month-old Arroyo administration.

But Justice Secretary Hernando Perez said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) continued to investigate COPA leaders, adding the government could not let its guard down against coup plotters no matter how remote the possibility.

"We believe where there is smoke, there is fire," Perez said.

He added that NBI Director Reynaldo Wycoco and his agents will conduct their probe based on the letter Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin sent to STAR columnist Teodoro Benigno.

In the letter, Sin rejected Benigno’s suggestion that there be "collective leadership" to be instituted by a "Freedom Force" that would supposedly be launched in June.

"But when we say we are investigating them, this doesn’t mean they have cases already filed against them. We will know everything after we complete the investigation," Perez said.

Golez also stressed that no case has yet been filed against COPA leaders. He said President Arroyo was satisfied with the public denial they made on Tuesday.

"There is no case against COPA. It’s more of a case of miscommunication," Golez told The STAR.

"The President was very satisfied with their public announcement of full support, categorical and unequivocal... So all’s well that ends well," he added.

Golez said he believed the denials of COPA leaders — former Tarlac Rep. Jose Cojuangco Jr., secretary general Pastor Saycon and Jose Montelibano — made during a media briefing attended by Golez himself.

"Because this is about national security, we have authority in this. So it’s better to talk and open communications," he said, adding that the government is continuously monitoring such matters.

"Since we are continuously monitoring these things and this is a national security concern, I can say there is nothing to worry about," he said.

"They do not share the prognosis of (Teodoro) Benigno that social upheaval will come. Actually, they have greater faith in the future of the country than Teddy Benigno," he added.

While Golez specifically cleared Cojuangco, Saycon and Montelibano, the national security adviser did not say if Benigno was also cleared of allegations that he was plotting against the government.

"The one who really suggested the Freedom Force was Teddy Benigno. Teddy Benigno has a very creative mind," Golez said without elaborating.

In his column on April 22, Benigno predicted that there would soon be a social upheaval that will require the "collective leadership" of a "Freedom Force" that would be launched in June.

But he later denied that that meant he was involved in a plot to seize power and install a "junta."

Meanwhile, acting Press Secretary Silvestre Afable reassured that the President would not be vindictive against COPA and file criminal cases or remove them from the government posts Mrs. Arroyo appointed them to when she succeeded to the presidency.

Afable was referring to Saycon, whom she named to the board of directors of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp., and Cojuangco’s wife Margarita, who was appointed presidential assistant for special projects.

He also noted that Cojuangco and Saycon were appointed to the posts not only because of political considerations but also because of their personal capabilities.

Afable also said it was up to law enforcement agencies to determine if there was evidence to warrant the filling of rebellion or sedition charges against COPA leaders.

"Any charge will have to be based on evidence and evidence is generated at the level of police and law enforcement agencies," he said.

20 generals restive — AGFO

Meanwhile, an official of the Association of Generals and Flag Officers (AGFO) said there are at least 10 active generals who are disgruntled with Mrs. Arroyo because they were not given concessions after the people power II uprising that installed her to power.

Retired Brig. Gen. Rodrigo Gutang, AGFO executive director, said there are also 10 retired star-rank officers who also feel the same way.

"I could say there could be at least 10 retired and 10 active generals who are not satisfied with the present situation," Gutang told reporters. "Off hand, I can count 20 who are not contented."

"It’s possible if they were allowed to speak, we can find what is bothering them. Some generals who (were supportive) of EDSA II and who were not on the stage were not given concessions," he said.

Gutang, who is also a former Mindanao congressman, said Malacañang should meet with the disgruntled generals.

He said he reached this conclusion after going around Mindanao and consulting with generals assigned there but he stressed that any coup plot can never be justified and that these gripes should be discussed.
At the same time, AGFO chairman and president Ernesto Gidaya said the organization of more than 600 star-rank officers has nothing to do with the so-called Freedom Force.

Gidaya said that while AGFO members "are free to attend meetings of any kind," it does not follow that the organization is behind them.

"This statement is being made to dispel any doubt that AGFO is involved in any move to destabilize the government," Gidaya said. — With Paolo Romero