Retired generals not planning to oust P-Noy, group says

MANILA, Philippines - The leader of a group of retired and active generals yesterday expressed confidence that none of their members is organizing an ouster plot against President Aquino.

Raul Urgello, president of the Association of Generals and Flag Officers, Inc. (AGFO), dismissed as rumors the reports about the supposed efforts to oust Aquino.

“I’m very confident there is no such (ouster plot) here (in our group). I have talked to a lot of people, they said they do not know anything about it,” Urgello.

“I have not heard of any plan to organize (ouster plots) from our group,” he added.

Urgello said spreading rumors or information that is not based on facts would not be good for the country.

He believes a destabilization plot is a serious issue that needs a serious reason.

“Those who stage coups have dissatisfaction with the way maybe the administration of the government is being handled,” Urgello said.

“I don’t see any reason. There should be a strong reason to do something as serious as that,” he added.

When asked to react on the claim of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV that some retired generals are recruiting soldiers to join ouster plots, Urgello said, “Maybe he knows something I don’t. Perhaps we should ask him.”

Urgello said those who claim to have knowledge about the supposed ouster plot should provide details such as the identities of those behind it.

Early this month, Aquino claimed that those opposed to his reforms want him out before his term ends to they could continue their corrupt ways.

“There are some who want to bring back the old system under which they earned lots of money. Since they know that I won’t let them do it, they want me out of the picture so that no one can go after them.” he said during the celebration of the 26th anniversary of the Presidential Security Group.

The military, however, is clueless on the supposed destabilization plot against Aquino.

Former Constabulary chief Ramon Montaño had claimed members of the elite who are unhappy with Aquino’s reforms are behind the reports about ouster plots.

Montaño made the claim even if Aquino himself brought up the supposed ouster plot. The former Constabulary chief did not provide details to back his claim.

Trillanes then revealed that some retired generals had started recruiting soldiers to join anti-Aquino ouster plots last month.

Trillanes, who led a failed uprising against the Arroyo administration in 2003, said he had urged Aquino to conduct counter-intelligence operations to prevent a possible coup.

He said various issues like the supposed harassment of Navy men tagged in the death of Ensign Philip Pestaño and the cases filed against retired general Jovito Palparan were used to lure the soldiers to join the ouster plot.