AFP urges Montaño to prove ouster plot vs Noy

MANILA, Philippines - The military yesterday urged former Constabulary chief Ramon Montano to substantiate his claim that those who want to oust President Aquino have allies in the military and other sectors.

“My appeal for those who provided the information (about the supposed ouster plot) is to substantiate this report so that this would help the concerned agencies in further promoting peace and stability in our country,” said Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr.

He also asked Montano to name the soldiers allegedly behind the supposed ouster plot so they could be investigated.

Burgos maintained that the military would always follow the chain of command and would not join any ouster plots.

“Ever since, there is no truth (to the claim) that there is a brewing (ouster) plot within the military organization,” the military spokesman said.

“I can assure (the public) that the Armed Forces of the Philippines is a professional organization and is solidly behind the leadership of the President,” he added.

Montano had earlier said that members of the elite who are unhappy with Aquino’s reforms are behind the supposed ouster plot against him.

While Aquino himself revealed the supposed ouster plot against him, Montano said the reports were orchestrated by corrupt persons and their allies.

“P-Noy ouster reports are orchestrated by political/economic (groups) who are extremely unhappy with the unwavering, straight narrow path P-Noy is pursuing,” the retired major general said. 

“Their (elite) allies in the military, in the criminal justice system, in the courts, in civic organizations, in media and in almost the whole gamut of society are now reacting vigorously against a President who is determined to fight this culture of corruption,’’ he added.

Last week, Aquino claimed that those opposed to his reforms want him out before his term ends so they could continue their corrupt ways.

But retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz yesterday doubted the claims of Aquino that he has been receiving death threats as well an alleged ouster plot.

“If someone is angry with him, I don’t think it would reach the point that they would have him killed. I think that is too much to ask because he is not the real enemy, the real enemy is his incompetence,” Cruz told the Church-run Radio Veritas.

He wondered why people would exert effort to assassinate the President.  

“Only those who are very good and really competent are targets of assassination plots,” he added.

The prelate issued the statement after Aquino admitted that there are those who wanted him out of office to stop his administration’s efforts to run after those who committed wrongdoings in the past.

After news about the alleged plot to kill the President spread, some 200 lawmakers signed a resolution urging the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to purchase a bulletproof and bombproof vehicle for Aquino. – With Evelyn Macairan