‘AGFO, COPA cases closed’

Malacañang declared yesterday as "case closed" the alleged coup plots being hatched by the military and a private organization against the Arroyo administration, and cleared the two groups of possible rebellion charges.

National Security Adviser Roilo Golez quoted Pre-sident Arroyo as saying she was satisfied with the "categorical and unequivocal" statements of support publicly expressed by leaders of the Association of Generals and Flag Officers (AGFO) and the Council of Philippine Affairs (COPA).

At the same time, acting Press Secretary Silvestre Afable belied reports that the Palace was suspicious of the activities for former President Fidel Ramos and his allies.

AGFO president Brig. Gen. Ernesto Gidaya met with Golez in Quezon City on Thursday to tackle the reported formation of the so-called "Freedom Force" that was supposed to install a civilian-military junta which would govern the country after Mrs. Arroyo is ousted.

Emerging from the meeting, Golez and Gidaya belied the coup plot attributed to AGFO.

"Coup rumors are not true," Gidaya told reporters.

"This meeting is being held to dispel any doubt that AGFO is involved in any move to destabilize the government," he added.

He also called on the public to rally behind the Arroyo administration.

Golez, himself a former Navy captain, also met with COPA leaders to discuss the controversy. Rumors had it that AGFO and COPA were collaborating to create the Freedom Forces that would supplant the Arroyo administration with a junta this June.

Golez clarified, however, that his exoneration of AGFO and COPA did not necessarily exclude them from an investigation to be conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Justice Secretary Hernando Perez said he and NBI Director Reynaldo Wycoco have agreed to look into a letter sent by Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin to STAR columnist Teodoro Benigno denying that he endorsed any "collective leadership" for the country as proposed by COPA.

Golez said he was never bother by the Freedom Force which he described as a "demonstration of the linguistic capability of Mr. Benigno."

Golez added that he expects to meet too, with Benigno whom he described as a "master of ponderous words."

"If you read Mr. Benigno’s columns, you would not only need a dictionary, but you (also) need a thesaurus."

Meanwhile, acting Press Secretary Silvestre Afable downplayed a reported warning by AGFO against an alleged plan by the President to extend the term of Lt. Gen. Roy Cimatu, commander of the Armed Forces’ Southern Command, who is a strong contender to the post of AFP chief to be vacated by Gen. Diomedio Villanueva.

Afable stressed that Mrs. Arroyo makes decision on military matters based on merits, the interest of the service and the national interest.

He also welcomed a plan by AGFO to come out with a resolution clarifying its stand on the controversy.

For its part, COPA was expected to issue a manifesto pertaining the projected launching of Freedom Force as proposed by Benigno.

At the same time, Afable brushed aside reports that COPA was seeking for a truce with the Palace, saying the government was not at war with COPA.

Afable also said Ramos should not be held accountable for the acts of his allies who were implicated in the alleged coup plot. Among them were Salvador Enriquez and Cesar Sarino, budget secretary and presidential adviser for Southern Tagalog, respectively, under the Ramos administration.

Afable reiterated Mrs. Arroyo’s "utmost respect" for Ramos.

"President Ramos has consistently helped the government maintain and economic stability. All his trips abroad have been in furtherance of economic diplomacy," Afable said.

In another development, Sen. Rodolfo Biazon said Mrs. Arroyo must be allowed to finish his term.

Biazon said although some quarters consider the Arroyo administration an interim presidency, he said it could no longer be reversed, unless through another political upheaval which he could be injurious to the country.

"I consider that this interim presidency should be allowed to take its due course until 2004. This is not the time to judge her," Biazon said.

However, the opposition Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) urged legislators to make some "soul-searching" to see that the current administration should be replaced.

But Biazon warned that allowed deposed President Joseph Estrada to return to Malacañang would result in a constitutional crisis. — With Katherine Adraneda