AFP: Generals calling for coup liable for sedition

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) warned yesterday that active and retired generals calling for a military takeover of the Arroyo administration are liable for sedition.

AFP spokesman Col. Danilo Lucero said the AFP leadership has forwarded to military lawyers a letter supposedly from disgruntled soldiers to determine what charges can be filed against those behind the letter dated Jan. 9, which was sent to AFP chief of staff Gen. Narciso Abaya.

"We are studying the letter, (and), if our lawyers can file any charges ... and find out what action can be done," Lucero said in an interview broadcast over ANC.

Lucero said the military leadership has no intention of holding a dialogue with the group behind the letter, which reportedly urged the military leadership to take control of the government.

He also reiterated earlier statements that the military will not engage in partisan politics.

Lucero said the group behind the letter seems to be pushing its own political agenda, adding that the letter "is insinuating the toppling of government and may be (a move) inciting sedition."

He said the AFP is also studying if the group behind the letter was also responsible for the paid advertisements published recently in national newspapers pushing for a "no election" scenario on May 10.

Former AFP Gen. Fortunato Abat admitted that he was supporting a no-election scenario in May, but denied he was for a military takeover of the government.

"The very essence of the military is to thwart any takeover," Lucero said, adding that the AFP is still gathering evidence to see if the group pushing for a no-election scenario and the one seeking a military takeover of government are linked.

"We feel that these proposals are meant to forewarn some groups with political agendas... prevent the AFP from engaging in partisan politics and... help us maintain a democratic institution," Lucero said.

Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, meanwhile, urged the Arroyo administration yesterday to investigate and prosecute citizens calling on the military to take over the government in the wake of the worsening political situation in the country.

Biazon, who fought several coup attempts as head of the National Capital Region Defense Command (NRCDC) during the administration of former President Corazon Aquino, made the appeal in the wake of the call by a group calling itself Citizens’ Committee on National Crisis for a military takeover.