Palace to meet RAM officers

Malacañang offered yesterday to meet with military rightist leaders amid reports of recruitment activities by anti-government forces out to undermine the Arroyo administration.

The move came following revelations by military and police officers that some of their colleagues identified with the so-called EDSA III forces have tried to persuade them to withdraw their support for President Arroyo, or at least look the other way if they detected ongoing activities meant to destabilize her administration.

Presidential Spokesman and chief of staff Rigoberto Tiglao also belittled reports that police and military officers who remained loyal to deposed President Joseph Estrada have been laying the groundwork for another power grab.

"If they want to talk to us to discuss the problems they are mentioning, they can meet with anybody in Malacañang," Tiglao told The STAR.

He was reacting to reports that certain officers of the Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabansa (RAM) officers have been holding secret meetings with anti-government groups, notably the Philippine Consultative Assembly (PCA) and the Council for Philippine Affairs (COPA) whose leaders are outspoken critics of the President.

RAM has reportedly given Mrs. Arroyo an ultimatum to implement reforms in her leadership style or they would withdraw their support for her administration.

RAM chairman Proceso Maligalig reiterated their support for the President, but maintained that there was nothing wrong with his group’s meetings with Mrs. Arroyo’s critics.

Maligalig asserted that it has been his group’s policy to meet with representatives of various sectors of society including anti-government forces, to get different ideas about tackling the country’s problems.

He said some of their meetings were meant to forge unity and cooperation among the opposing organizations.

Maligalig admitted that the PCA and COPA have invited RAM to their meetings, but added that RAM members attended only to listen to the discussions.

"Nothing happened. There was no agreement, no plans or plots. We were there only upon their invitation," Maligalig said. "We must learn to listen to the other side. Who knows, there might be nuggets of wisdom (there)."

Maligalig said they have met with leaders of the Muslim separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the leftist organization Sanlakas, as well as pro-government organizations.

He denied reports that RAM has given a deadline to Mrs. Arroyo to shape up by yearend.

"What will happen in December would be a regular meeting of RAM," he said.

Maligalig revealed that they would actively participate in the next elections. "We might field some candidates or we might instead support some, or we could just forge coalitions. Many politicians are wooing us because of our huge organization."

RAM claims a membership of some 1.3 million, among them members of the judiciary, various professional groups and government personnel, as well as an umbrella organization of security guards.

For his part, RAM executive committee chairman Domingo Calajate said the group continues to hold dialogues and consultations with different non-government organizations "concerned with the search for the peaceful solutions to the problems of the country."

Calajate stressed that RAM was never a threat to the government, and neither has it forged a tactical alliance with PCA.

He admitted though, that his group has joined the People’s Patriotic Movement, an advocate of "peaceful and selfless sacrifice and solidarity of all Filipinos."

"We abide by our commitments to the peace agreement with the government and reiterate our unequivocal and unqualified support to the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo," Calajate said.

Guardians confirm recruitment efforts

Some members of the Guardians Brotherhood International consisting of policemen and soldiers confirmed that people belonging to a faction of the RAM and the PCA have been actively campaigning for wider support for their illicit cause.

Prominent members of the Guardians vowed, however, to resist any attempts to bring down the Arroyo administration.

"Whatever they plan to do will only do more harm than good for our country. They should stop moves to destabilize the present government as it will be an exercise in futility," the sources said.

A senior police officer dared the anti-government forces to push through their threat to change the political leadership by force.

"We will fight them to the last man," he said.

Soldiers and policemen allegedly involved in the destabilization activities were associated with the camps of Sen. Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan, a former Army colonel cashiered for leading a series of failed coup attempts against the Aquino administration, and Sen. Panfilo Lacson, formerly chief of the Philippine National Police and most trusted ally of Estrada who is currently detained without bail on the capital offense of plunder.

Newly appointed Guardians head PNP Deputy Director General Nestorio Gualberto appealed for sobriety among the various RAM factions.

"We are appealing to our members not to fall into this design of recruitment by groups with vested and selfish interests, and think of the good of the country," Gualberto told The STAR.

He shrugged off the capability of the RAM faction linked to the PCA headed by Linda Montayre to launch any attacks against the government.

"But if worse comes to worse, we will defend the government," Gualberto stressed.

He also revealed that several Guardian members have reported efforts by anti-government quarters to recruit policemen and soldiers still in the active service through offers of handsome compensation if their struggle succeeded.

Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Eduardo Purificacion dismissed the reports as "widespread speculation."

"I don’t believe that the RAM is involved in this issue. This organization is functioning more as a foundation which caters to the needs of active and retired soldiers and their families."

LDP won’t support coup

The mainstream political opposition said it would not support any military or civilian uprising against the Arroyo administration.

House Minority Leader Carlos Padilla of Nueva Vizcaya said they want to replace Mrs. Arroyo, but not through any manner other than elections.

Padilla, a key leader of the opposition Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino, said their party has nothing to do with the alleged recruitment activities of anti-government forces.

"We in the opposition will wait until the next presidential elections in 2004, so we can replace Mrs. Arroyo. We are asking other sectors opposed to this administration to do likewise," Padilla said.

He warned that any power grab would mean more hardships for the people. "There will be chaos. The economy will surely suffer. There will be capital flight as investors will take their money out of the country. The exchange rate will deteriorate further."

LDP president Sen. Edgardo Angara also reiterated their strong stand against using extra-constitutional means to change the present government.

Angara said the military-backed EDSA revolt that ousted Estrada has already weakened democratic institutions in the country.

"But we cannot correct a legally questionable change of government with the coup d’état or a seizure of state power," Angara said in a statement.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina said the reported destabilization move is a mere political intrigue against the Arroyo administration.

In a statement, Lina said the entire police and military organizations were fully and unequivocally behind Mrs. Arroyo.

Lina also denied there was a growing disgruntlement in the police ranks, particularly over promotions and appointments to sensitive posts. — With reports from Jess Diaz, Perseus Echeminada, Charlie Lagasca