MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE) Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the chance for success of what authorities call a recently unmasked coup plot is "zero" because the personalities linked to the alleged attempt have "no credibility."
"Zero. I can confidently say [that] no destabilization will succeed," Teodoro told reporters in an interview, after observing an earthquake drill in Pasay City on Thursday.
Armed Forces chief General Alexander Yano likewise downplayed the alleged coup plot, saying, "I do not consider it as something that we should be concerned about."
On Thursday, police filed several charges, including proposal to commit coup d'etat, against human rights lawyer Homobono Adaza, Army Lieutenant Colonel Oscarlito Mapalo, retired Colonels Ernie Amboy, Edgardo Tapia, and Cesar dela Peña, and police Superintendent Rafael Cardeño.
Adaza, Mapalo, Amboy, Dela Peña, and Cardeño were arrested at a shopping mall in Pasig City on Wednesday. Tapia remains at large.
"The threat level is low because, unfortunately, there is no credibility whatsoever, in terms of launching a plot, of these people who are supposed to be involved in this latest caper," Teodoro said.
The defense chief said the supposed fresh plot does not involve active duty military men.
"If there perhaps really was a plot, then it would have been more secret and they wouldn't have been arrested," he said.
Yano said he was even "surprised" by the arrests, since he has not monitored any brewing destabilization attempt.
"There is no reason for me to doubt the loyalty of our soldiers, no need for any check," the military chief told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo.
On Thursday, police filed several charges, including proposal to commit coup d'etat, against human rights lawyer Homobono Adaza, Army Lieutenant Colonel Oscarlito Mapalo, retired colonels Ernie Amboy, Edgardo Tapia, and Cesar dela Peña, and police Superintendent Rafael Cardeño.
Adaza, Mapalo, Amboy, Dela Peña, and Cardeño were arrested at a shopping mall in Pasig City on Wednesday. Tapia remains at large.
