It was not a coup, just a gripe session — Erap

Only a gripe session?

Former President Joseph Estrada yesterday said last Sunday’s mutiny was just an expression of grievances made by a group of young officers and servicemen over the high level of corruption in the Arroyo administration.

"As compared to what happened during Edsa II, last Sunday’s mutiny was not a coup in the strict sense. The real coup occurred when (then Armed Forces chief) Defense Secretary (Angelo) Reyes withdrew their support for the duly elected president," Estrada said in Filipino.

At the same time, Estrada said he decided to withdraw his motion against the top police officials on his abrupt transfer from his detention ward at the Veteran Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City to Camp Aguinaldo at the height of last Sunday’s mutiny.

Estrada’s lawyers earlier sought to cite in contempt Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. and Chief Superintendent Prospero Noble for ordering the transfer of the former president from his VMMC detention ward.

The former president was later returned to his detention ward after the 22-hour standoff between the government and the rebel soldiers ended peacefully.

His lawyers argued the police encroached on the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan in effecting the transfer without any court order.

But Estrada said the police generals "cannot be faulted" in ordering his transfer to Camp Aguinaldo that day.

"I’m no longer interested in pursuing this case against the generals. I know they were just following orders from the top. Wala naman silang kasalanan (They cannot be faulted)," he said.

Estrada’s counsel Alan Paguia and Manuel Pamaran warned against a repeat of the incident which they claimed, was an encroachment of the court’s power and jurisdiction over their client.

On the other hand, Chief Superintendent Doroteo Reyes, counsel for Ebdane and Noble, said Estrada’s transfer was justified and in accordance with the law. "What had unfolded is a national emergency. It was a matter of urgency," Reyes said.

Police decided on the transfer following reports that some pro-Estrada groups are taking advantage of the mutiny by staging a separate attempt to free the former president and reinstall him at Malacañang.

Asked if he would have accepted the alleged plan, Estrada replied he would. "If I would be recognized as the legitimate president because I am the legitimate president," he said.

In an interview with radio dzBB, Estrada took potshots at President Arroyo, claiming he was victim of a power grab.

He said Mrs. Arroyo is now becoming more desperate by engaging in "Gestapo-style" military and police operations and "planting evidence."

Estrada claimed the weekend rebellion staged by a group of officers and men calling themselves the Magdalo faction, was "justified," since the government has not addressed legitimate grievances including high level of corruption in the military.

"I believe so (the mutiny is justified). They were idealistic. The rebel soldiers allowed the Oakwood residents to go outside. They have no intention to hurt anybody. They have not fired a shot. They have legitimate grievances that the government must address," Estrada said.

"If it would be gainful to the people in the long run, this government should address corruption. Our country is the 11th most corrupt. They (mutineers) should be given a chance to be heard," he added.

Estrada also brushed aside queries on whether he could be available on any probe with regard to the mutiny. "Why do I have to testify on that? I have nothing to do about it," he said.

Estrada claimed accusations he had a hand in the Makati uprising was government ploy to further pin him down since the plunder case filed against him before the Sandiganbayan is "weak."