MANILA: A reported destabilisation plot against the government, allegedly backed by retired military officers, is not new but should still be investigated by the proper authoritiesn, Malacañang said on Monday (April 27).
On Sunday, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said some groups are attempting to gain support from uniformed personnel for a possible military-backed “people power revolution.”
“That’s old news. They’ve long wanted to carry out destabilisation against our President—it’s nothing new,” Palace press officer Claire Castro, speaking in Filipino, said during a briefing
“First of all, if this is proven — because we know that when Senator Lacson speaks, he has evidence — then once again, our investigating bodies don’t need to be told; they should go ahead and conduct an investigation,” she added.
In a statement, Lacson said he received information that “retired officers” are attempting to recruit members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. But Lacson believes this plot is likely to fail.
“There is definitely an attempt, but this is outside the AFP,” he said.
“Those behind this could only recruit a few, if at all, from inside the AFP. My contacts in the Philippine National Police (PNP) say there is no indication this ‘movement’ will snowball. But definitely, there is an attempt, mostly by retired officers.
“So long as the AFP is professional, and I would like to believe it is, there is no compelling reason to have a military junta or another People Power revolution,” he added. – Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
