Coup rumors annoy Palace

Malacañang expressed annoyance yesterday over the persistent coup rumors still circulating in media and among the populace.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye expressed exasperation over the coup rumors a day after Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Narciso Abaya turned over control of the AFP to his successor, erstwhile Army commander Lt. Gen. Efren Abu.

"All this talk about coup plots are annoying distractions, but we are confident that nothing will come out of them," Bunye said.

In his weekly "View from the Palace" column on the round-up of important events, Bunye said President Arroyo herself testified to the loyalty and professionalism of the military in her speech at the AFP change of command at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

The President took the occasion to highlight the reforms initiated by her administration at the AFP as among the recommendations submitted to her by the Feliciano fact-finding commission that looked into the root causes of the July 27, 2003 mutiny at the Oakwood Premier Ayala Center in Makati City.

"The lessons learned from the Oakwood mutiny and other failed adventurist attempts, the President’s resolve to promulgate military justice and the government sincerity in implementing reforms in the AFP are the best antidote to military adventurism," Bunye said.

He reiterated the directives of the President to Abu, as the new AFP chief, to continue the AFP efforts to rid the military of grafters which was started by Abaya.

She also instructed Abu to institute more reforms to stamp out corruption in the military.

Bunye also sought to highlight the 10 outstanding soldiers who received awards as a sign that there were more such soldiers than "bad eggs" in the AFP.

"The court martial of Maj. Gen. (Carlos) Garcia is about to start," Bunye said. "Let us give a chance for military justice to take its course."

"Garcia represents the few bad eggs in the organization," he said. "There are more brave, honest and dedicated men and women in the AFP in the likes of these soldiers" who were awarded for their exemplary performance, he said.

This year’s awardees are Lt. Col. Joseph Acosta, MD Commander Bayani Gaerlan, M/Sgt. Leonardo Cleofe, Senior M/Sgt. Renato Delos Santos, T/Sgt. Ludie Donque, Storekeeper 2 Melvin Baguio, Col. Romeo D.V. Poquiz, S/Sgt. D.V. Viloria and T/Sgt. Victoriano Novida.

They were the recipient of the prestigious Outstanding Soldiers of the Philippines award in the annual search by the Metrobank Foundation.

Meanwhile, in an interview over Radio Mindanao Network (RMN), Bunye said the Palace would leave the investigation of the latest corruption allegations against the AFP on the reported use of "expired" antibiotics and other medicines used for treating soldiers at the Army General Hospital (AGH) up to Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz.

The latest allegations were complaints by a certain Mrs. David, which were aired yesterday by RMN . David claimed to be a civilian nurse at the AGH who was sacked after she informed her superiors of the use of such expired medicines.

"I believe it is but proper that these serious allegations must be investigated," Bunye said. "In this case, it is but appropriate to consult directly (with) the Secretary of National Defense because he has the immediate supervision of this agency."

The renewed coup rumors spread in the wake of corruption allegations against Garcia, which rocked the military establishment.

At the AFP turnover, the President credited Abaya for his outstanding leadership of the AFP, citing the fact that it was during Abaya’s watch that the Oakwood mutiny erupted and was immediately addressed as the mutineers’ grievances and concerns were heard in full.

"Like all Filipinos, I demand to know the truth about corruption, whether in the military or outside the military," Mrs. Arroyo said. "But, like General Abaya so emotionally appealed, neither will I allow the entire AFP to be dishonored. I can tell you that, officers and soldiers."

The President also cited the austerity measures implemented by Abaya, saying these enabled the military to pay for the mandated salary increases of soldiers.

"I can assure our soldiers that, contrary to those who are trying to drive a wedge between you and me, full implementation of your salary increases will continue to be carried out," she said.

"The efforts undertaken by General Abaya to clean up the military bureaucracy are indeed matched by initiatives to improve the benefits of our soldiers," she added.

The President also expressed her confidence that Abu will be able to sustain Abaya’s initiatives.