Military chief declares that RP already out of destab threat

By Ronron
January 22, 2008

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. declared on Tuesday that the country is already over the shaky stage as far as the stability of the Arroyo government is concerned.

Esperon issued the assessment even as authorities have yet to substantiate their earlier claims of a destabilization threat this year in follow up of the alleged power grab attempt by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, and many others at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City last November 29, 2007.

“As to this destabilization, we are no longer in that stage. We have overcome that. We are over the hump in so far as destabilization is concerned,” Esperon told reporters Tuesday at Camp Aguinaldo.

He said the government is already certain that the alleged destabilizers “cannot really succeed” and what they are doing is just “an exercise in futility.”

Despite his declaration though, Esperon said military will not let down its guard, especially since some suspects remain unaccounted for like Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon.

“I must say he will always try or attempt to recruit some people. But I must also tell them that we are more than ready to quell any of their activities if they should go, if they should come out openly,” Esperon said.

He cited the failure of the Trillanes’ group to muster support both from the uniformed service and the civilian populace last November 29, which showed that even if there is a plan, it would not necessarily mean it will materialize.

“”If you are to take it from the November 29 Manila Peninsula incident, you will see that there are no new faces. Even the civilian supporters who joined their march are already low-batt (weak),” Esperon said.

The military chief is apparently referring to former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Jr., former University of the Philippines President Francisco Nemenzo, and Bishop Julio Labayen, all senior citizens, among others.

Esperon, meanwhile, disclosed that some senior officers, junior officers, and enlisted personnel who allowed Trillanes and the other Magdalo officers to walk out of the Makati City court and march to Manila Peninsula Hotel last November 29 are still not yet off the hook.

He said a pre-trial investigation against them for “infidelity to custody” by failing to control their wards may soon subject them to court martial proceedings.

“If you were the commander on the ground, you have to answer that, you have to explain before the court martial,” Esperon said.

Since the incident, Esperon said the concerned personnel who come from the Marine Brig and the National Capital Region Command have been relieved of their duties.

Immediately after the incident, Esperon had denied that the security escorts already defected from the government. Rather, they just allowed their wards to march so as to avoid violent confrontation./DMS