Attempts to destabilize government contained - Palace

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang assured the people yesterday that the latest attempts to destabilize the government have been “more or less contained” as officials expect the country to be generally peaceful when President Arroyo delivers her last State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita issued the statement as Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officials disclosed there are preparations to quell any unrest or security threats leading to the SONA.

“These (destabilization) threats have been more or less contained,” Ermita said in a telephone interview. “Our authorities are on the ball leading to the SONA.”

He said the Armed Forces are just making sure there are no serious threats that could disrupt the conduct of the SONA.

Security and intelligence officials earlier said a top opposition leader, using his ties with rightist rebels, is apparently behind the bombing of the Office of the Ombudsman as well as the planting of the explosive devices in various buildings last week.

The Palace said the Arroyo government remains stable and that it would not be overthrown.

An improvised explosive device exploded at the premises of the Office of the Ombudsman in Quezon City last week.

The next day, C4 bombs – commonly used by the military – were found at the compound of the Department of Agriculture along Elliptical Road and outside a condominium building along Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said while there is another attempt to destabilize the administration, “we are sure the people will not condone violence.”

“Our democracy remains strong despite efforts to weaken it,” Remonde said.

He said Mrs. Arroyo is expected to present the first draft of her SONA to the Cabinet tomorrow.

Officials earlier said there would be no mention of politics in the SONA, which would focus on the economy.

Opposition claims intimidation

Opposition leader Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay said the military exercises held at Camp Aguinaldo last Saturday was intended to intimidate the opposition and discourage them to stage protest actions during the SONA on July 27.

“The military leadership and Malacañang say there is no threat to the administration. So there was no need to roll out the tanks and show off soldiers in combat gear. The overkill was intentional. It was intended as a message to the opposition,” Binay said.

Binay earlier said the recent bombing at the Ombudsman and the discovery of bombs in other places were meant to justify the deployment of more police and soldiers to Metro Manila prior to the SONA.

“The recent action by the military confirms our suspicion, but the protests will continue,” Binay said.

Binay said the opposition, civil society and people’s organizations are planning a series of protest actions that will culminate in a rally during Mrs. Arroyo’s SONA at the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City.

He appealed to the police and military leadership to respect the rights of the protesters.

“We have always policed our ranks, but in several cases we have accosted police and military operatives in plainclothes mingling with the crowd,” Binay said.

Binay said in previous rallies the police would set up checkpoints to prevent or delay the arrival of rally participants from the provinces.

“This constitutes a violation of civil right. We have always acted responsibly, and we do hope the police and military will do the same. The right of the people to assemble should be respected,” Binay said.

Binay also said the military leadership’s statement dismissing Oplan August Moon as an attempt to sow intrigue in the AFP was “expected.”

“How can they conduct a credible investigation on a plot that allegedly involves generals known to be loyal to Mrs. Arroyo?” Binay said.

Binay said based on published reports, August Moon is not a destabilization plot or a coup plot against the administration.

“It is reportedly a plan by these generals to take over the military and police leadership before the end of the year, thus solidifying Mrs. Arroyo’s hold on the military and police during the 2010 election period,” Binay said.

Meanwhile, Bureau of Customs police director Chief Superintendent Jose Yuchongco said the bureau’s security personnel were placed on heightened alert against the smuggling of firearms, illegal drugs and explosives, and shipment of chemicals coming from the so-called high-risk countries like Afghanistan and African states.

He said the heightened alert covering 500 Customs policemen and intelligence officers has been in effect since early last week.

The Customs police have intensified monitoring operations at the Port of Manila and the Manila International Container Port, Ninoy Aquino International Airport, ports of Subic, Davao, and Clark Field in Pampanga.

Yuchongco said the Customs is the first line of defense in the war against transnational crimes and terrorism. He said their function is not only as revenue generating agency but also to operate as an enforcement outfit vested with police authority.

“The first line of defense is at the pier so we are tightening the security in the area. There are also extraordinary precautions to be taken in other sensitive ports in the country,” Yuchongco said.

He said major entry points of smuggled firearms are seaports via sea cargo, container vans and personal effects, and airports via personal belongings, hand carried luggage, baggage and parcels.

“We will ensure that there is high police visibility. This readiness is part of Customs security plan whenever there is an uprising threat to our security,” Yuchongco said.

Preparing for SONA

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is preparing, not for destabilization attempts but protest actions that would be staged by militant groups during President Arroyo’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner said.

He said these protest actions could lead to chaos, which might require them to augment the police in maintaining peace and order.

“We are preparing for any eventuality. It’s not only the destabilization. We are more concerned with the rallies and actions that may lead to chaos,” he said.

Based on their assessment, Brawner said the fresh rumors of destabilization were just made up and need not be taken seriously.

“If you are referring to the rumors, like this Oplan August Moon, at present we are now discounting this as a threat to national development or national security because we saw and based on the recent proofs that we have gathered, these are just works of people who want it to make it appear that there is chaos in our country, that our AFP and PNP are having an infighting,” he said.

The AFP spokesman said that based on their evaluation, talks of destabilization are all made up and are purely the products of imagination of some people who fan rumors to advance their own interest.

He said talks of destabilization start to circulate before the Chief Executive delivers her SONA.

The AFP is under a normal alert level amid all these talks.

The National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM), which normally keeps a blue alert status that requires 50 percent of its personnel to be inside the camp, is on a white alert status.

Under this status, a commander could grant as many requests for informal leaves as he wishes, because the current security situation allows such. – With Jose Rodel Clapano, Helen Flores, James Mananghaya