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By Anthony Vargas Reporter
THE Armed Forces (AFP) on Friday
implicated Opposition Sen. Panfilo Lacson in a coup plot that was
foiled by government forces early last year.
A visibly irritated AFP Chief,
Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr., also scored the opposition lawmaker who
earlier aired his strong opposition in giving the military chief a
term extension.
“I don’t know what he has
been saying… but I tell you, I probably know more about the AFP
than he does,” Esperon told reporters at the sidelines of the
AFP’s 72nd Anniversary rites at Camp Aguinaldo.
Lascon denied any involvement in
the failed coup, and questioned Esperon’s motive in pinpointing
him two years after the event. The opposition senator said former
Marine Commandant, Major Gen. Renato Miranda, disclosed that the
coup was spontaneous and not planned. “I didn’t knew about it
until it happened,” Lacson said.
The AFP chief said that they have
a document in their possession that would link Lacson in the foiled
coup attempt of rebellious soldiers in February 2006.
Twenty-eight military officers,
led by Miranda; Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and Col. Ariel Querubin, are
now facing a court-martial trial for the foiled coup plot.
“General Lacson is angry at
those who are anti-coup… but what I know was that I saw his name
at a declaration, the diamond statement,” Esperon said.
When asked what the “diamond
statement” is, the AFP chief said this was part of documents
seized from rebel soldiers during last year’s foiled coup attempt.
The documents disclosed plans by
disgruntled military officers of joining street protests in late
February 2006, and later withdrawing support from President Gloria
Arroyo. It also discussed who would lead the country in case the
rebel soldiers succeed in toppling the Arroyo administration.
But the AFP chief declined to
elaborate on how Lacson was mentioned in the document, or his role
in the foiled coup. “I will release it when I retire… I will
stand as witness,” he said.
The opposition senator warned
that extending Esperon’s term would demoralize the military and
pave way for a “revolving door policy” in the military.
Esperon maintained it would be up
to the President to decide his term extension. He added it would be
great honor for him if his term is extended by the President.
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