The Philippine military yesterday renewed its pledge of loyalty to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo amid a swirl of fresh coup rumors fueled by allegations that she rigged last year's elections.
Billy Bibit, a former constabulary officer detained after a failed 1989 coup, claimed a group of young officers was planning to replace Arroyo with a civilian-led caretaker government that would restore political and economic order.
But military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Buenaventura Pascual downplayed the claim, saying that the military "will remain apolitical and never allow any group or personality to use the [armed forces] in order to advance any political and personal interest."
Bibit claimed the officers, mostly captains and majors, believe Arroyo has lost moral authority after she was tainted by accusations of cheating in the last year's election.
The allegations intensified last month with the disclosure of recordings of phone conversations in which the president allegedly sought an assurance from an election commissioner that she would win by more than a million votes.
Arroyo has apologized for talking to the official, but has denied influencing the election outcome.
The scandal has upset financial markets and set off coup rumors and calls for her removal, mainly by the opposition, left-wing groups and a cluster of ex-generals.
"As cadets, these officers were taught not to lie, cheat, steal or tolerate anybody who would violate that honor code," Bibit said. "They're honor-bound to follow that code."
Pascual denied Bibit's claim, saying the ex-rebel officer may be griping over his recent removal from the Bureau of Customs because of insufficient credentials.
Bibit was released under an amnesty for rebel troops and worked as a customs official.
Another officer linked by a newspaper report to alleged anti-government plots, army Colonel Gregorio Catapang, also denied any involvement.
"The rule of the mob is the last thing that this country needs at this most trying moment of our existence," he said.
Pascual said the 115,000-strong military adheres to the chain of command, headed by Arroyo, who is the constitutional commander in chief. The Philippines has a history of coup attempts.
Two years ago, a group of disgruntled officers complaining of corruption and favoritism in the chronically underpaid and poorly equipped armed forces briefly seized an upscale hotel in Manila's financial district before surrendering.
With the latest crisis, Arroyo has faced almost daily opposition protests calling for her resignation, but they haven't matched the huge rallies that toppled late dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986 and Joseph Estrada in 2001.
The military's withdrawal of support from the former leaders was crucial to their downfall.
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