Amid coup rumors, GMA conducts loyalty checks on police, military

"A strong Republic can’t be built overnight."

Subtly pressing her loyalty check among retired and active policemen and soldiers, President Arroyo appealed yesterday for unwavering loyalty to her administration and for help to push her thrust toward attaining a strong Republic.

"Stay always with me in building a strong Republic," the President said in a speech at a convention of the Guardians Philippines Anti-Crime Organization Inc. in Los Baños, Laguna.

Mrs. Arroyo said her detractors have ridiculed her about the fulfillment of her promises to strengthen the nation.

She also underscored that a dynamic country is founded on peace and prosperity.

"But if we want to keep peace and prosperity, we need a strong Republic," she added.

The President thanked the delegates for their pledge of support to her leadership.

Sources said the Guardians Philippines was a breakaway faction of the Guardians Brotherhood that played a crucial role in the historic EDSA people power revolt in 1986 that toppled the Marcos dictatorship and catapulted then housewife Corazon Aquino to the presidency.

Mrs. Arroyo cited the leaders of the Guardians Philippines led by newly retired Director Nestorio Gualberto, former chief of the Philippine National Police’ s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, for rallying behind her.

She disclosed that Gualberto will soon be given a civilian position in government.

Mrs. Arroyo hailed the organization’s proposal to serve as a civilian watchdog against terrorism. "The strong republic needs volunteers like you because you have very high sense of vigilance and civic duty. There are many ways to distinguish yourself as active anti-crime volunteers," she said.

From Los Baños, the Chief Executive motored back to Malacañang for a luncheon meeting with the sergeant majors of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao said he could not give a press briefing about the meeting as he was not there.

Mrs. Arroyo’s series of meetings with members of the police and military organizations came on the heels of rumors about an impending coup hatched by disgruntled soldiers and policemen.

The restiveness in the ranks reportedly stemmed from the government’s failure to implement wage increases for the military and the police.

The President also convened last week a joint command conference of the PNP and the AFP at Malacañang where she reiterated her complete trust and confidence to the men and women of both organizations.

She gave assurances that the soldiers and policemen would start receiving 20 percent of their pay increase retroactive last month.

Meanwhile, minor changes were made in the AFP hierarchy following the retirement of Maj. Gen. Ronaldo Floria, AFP deputy chief for logistics.

Air Force Maj. Gen. Cicero Castellano was named Floria’s successor, whiel Brig. Gen. Ralph Flores, erstwhile commander of the 710th Special Operations Wing of the Air Force was directed as Castellano’s replacement.

Air Force Col. Romeo Alamillo was directed to fill up the vacuum created by Flores’ transfer.

AFP chief Gen. Benjamin Defensor also appointed Brig. Gen. Godofredo Rabara as the new AFP deputy chief for Reservist and Retiree Affairs following the retirement of Maj. Gen. Avelino Abiol. — Marichu Villanueva, Jaime Laude