PMA Class ’89 vows support for Arroyo

Members of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class ’89 assured President Arroyo yesterday of their full support in the wake of reports they had been offered money to launch a coup against her administration.

Senior Superintendent Dionisio Borromeo, president of PMA "Makatao" Class of ’89 gave the assurance after he conducted a roll call of his "mistahs" in the Philippine Army, Air Force, Navy and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

During the roll-call, Borromeo said, the representatives of his class from the different branches of the military and police belied reports of attempts to recruit them for a coup attempt.

"Some of my classmates even called me up to check and clarify the reports," he said. "There are no moves to stage any coup."

A number of Borromeo’s classmates were associated with the defunct Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) of former PNP chief and now Sen. Panfilo Lacson.

Borromeo, intelligence chief of the Caloocan City police, vehemently denied the "coup for sale" reports. "There’s no amount of money (that) can buy our loyalty to the Constitution and the Filipino people, whom we were sworn to serve and protect," he said.

"We are abiding (by) the Constitution and the chain of command." Borromeo said. "We are not mercenaries. We are soldiers of the Filipino people. We will protect the people and the present government."

He said some quarters may just be trying to create intrigue in an attempt to discredit the PMA Class ’89. "We are not buying any idea of coup for sale," Borromeo said.

Borromeo was summoned to PNP headquarters at Camp Crame in Quezon City to shed light on the reports.

PMA Class ’89 has 113 members, most of whom are now mid-level officers in the Philippine Army.

Some of Borromeo’s classmates, who were part of the PAOCTF, are now on floating status, but he said these classmates of his never discussed coup plans during their monthly meetings.

"Our monthly regular meeting is aimed at strengthening our camaraderie and bonding and to discuss civic action programs," Borromeo said. They also met for the upcoming PMA alumni homecoming in February next year. — With Edith Regalado