|
By Angelo S. Samonte and Maricel V. Cruz, Reporters
Malacañang said there is enough evidence to
implicate former assemblyman Homobono Adaza and four other
individuals on their alleged plan to topple the Arroyo
administration.
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Sergio Apostol
said there is enough evidence against Adaza, which is why cases were
filed against them and the government is still strengthening such.
But Apostol said it is hard to seek justice in
the country because the opposition always blames politics, which
hampers efforts to put wrongdoers behind bars.
Apostol was reacting to the statement of
opposition Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. who said that the
administration has shifted its attention to the counsels of
anti-Arroyo groups and personalities.
Apostol denied the administration is harassing
the defenders and allies of anti-administration forces.
Adaza and the four other individuals were
arrested based on a complaint filed by lawyer Raymund Fortun, who
alleged that the group tried to extort $4 million from his Japanese
client to fund a plot to overthrow the Arroyo administration.
Despite reports of a brewing coup plot, Malacañang
said President Gloria Arroyo would still proceed with her activities
this week, including provincial sorties.
The Palace said intelligence reports showed that
there are planned movements and actions close to the State of the
Nation Address of the President on July 28.
But the military shrugged off the threat being
posed by Adaza and his group.
Armed Forces chief Gen. Alexander Yano dismissed
the coup plot, saying it is purely a political matter and does not
merit military attention.
No coup plots in police, military
At Camp Crame, the Philippine National Police
(PNP) over the weekend said it has not monitored any coup plot from
the ranks of the military and police.
However, PNP Spokesperson Chief Supt. Nicanor
Bartolome, pointed out the national police has continued to look
into the latest involvement of Adaza and his group to suspected or
alleged plans in the past to stage a coup.
“We have not monitored any activity that will
indicate an attempt, but we are looking closely at the activities of
Atty. Adaza and the other personalities whom we have charged for
alleged proposal to commit coup d’ etat,” Bartolome said in a
statement.
Bartolome said efforts are underway to account
for another accused to give investigators a complete picture of the
case.
He maintained that collaborative efforts by the
national police and the military can safeguard the country against
any destabilization attempt.
In this case, there is a complaint on a specific
allegation and the PNP has acted on it with the arrest of the
personalities involved and the filing of criminal charges in
court,” Bartolome explained.
Barely two days after his arrest, Adaza was
released from the custody of the national police on Friday morning,
by virtue of an order of release issued by Quezon City Judge
Voltaire Agas for the obstruction of justice case.
Another order of release was issued by Quezon
City Judge Thelma Ponferrada for the offense of proposal to commit a
coup. Adaza was also cleared for discharge from the PNP General
Hospital.
Col. Oscarlito Mapalo was turned over to the
military on the same day, pending his case filed before the General
Court Martial for violating Article of War 97 or conduct prejudicial
to good order and military discipline; Article 62 or absent without
official leave; and Article 96 of conduct unbecoming of an officer
and gentleman.
Former Supt. Rafael Cardeño remained at the PNP
Custodial Center in Camp Crame, while retired Colonels Ernie Amboy
and Cesar dela Peña have already been discharged.
Another accused, retired Col. Edgardo Tapia is
at-large and is now the subject of a manhunt.
|
