Reyes: No regrets over EDSA II

On the eve of the second anniversary of people power II , Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes said he does not regret having played a key role in the uprising that led to the ouster of former President Joseph Estrada.

"Absolutely no regrets," the former Armed Forces chief told The STAR.

Along with then defense secretary Orlando Mercado and key generals of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Reyes arrived at the EDSA Shrine at 4:02 p.m. on Jan. 19, 2001. They announced their withdrawal of support for Estrada, triggering the collapse of his administration.

But Reyes, while saying he never regretted that decision, said he still carries the burden of knowing that he had hurt or even lost friends.

"I think this has to be seen on two levels: one as my duty, my job, my obligation being chief of staff to the AFP and to the country. On that level, I have no regrets," he said.

"The other level is the personal level — the personal relations I had with those adversely affected by my decisions. This is something that has always been with me," he admitted.

Reyes said he had been accused of being an ingrate to Estrada, who appointed him to the top AFP post and even stood as wedding sponsor to his son.

He said he also earned the distrust and disgust of some political leaders and even military officers, who had gotten their promotions or juicy positions through the intervention of the deposed president.

Reyes however, said that withdrawing support from Estrada, with the AFP acting as a united and professional organization, was the only constitutional option left to prevent the country from plunging into chaos and civil war.

Reyes pointed out that the country’s top military generals proceeded to EDSA Shrine aboard civilian vehicles with no tanks or a single firearm in sight to emphasize the fact that the AFP had no intentions of taking over or staging a coup d’état.

"When one is convinced that he or she is doing the right thing, that person would never regret it," he said.

"I did what I had to do. I did not desert a friend. I respect the former president. I did not do anything to harm him. I did not attack him. I did not raise any issue or any statement against him," Reyes explained.

Immediately after the oath-taking ceremonies of President Arroyo before Chief Justice Hilario Davide at the EDSA Shrine, he said he proceeded to Malacañang along with former Presidential Security Group chief Lt. Gen. Jose Calimlim to personally say goodbye to Estrada and make sure that he gets a graceful and safe exit as angry protesters were then nearing the gates of the Palace.

"I wanted to personally make sure that he was safe and be able to dialogue with him and ensure that Malacañang is not desecrated," Reyes recalled.

Despite what he did, he said he does not want a repeat of that tumultuous event at EDSA because an adventurous Armed Forces will only plunge the country into the mire while other nations are working toward progress.

Reyes also stressed that civilian authority is at all times supreme over the military.