The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday cleared opposition Senators Antonio Trillanes and Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan of involvement in the so-called “Red October” ouster plot against the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
During the hearing of the Senate committee on finance, Trillanes categorically asked AFP Chief of Staff General Carlito Galvez asked if he and Pangilinan were involved in the ouster plot.
“Basically this a sinister plot of the CCP-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army). Kung makikita po natin talaga they would like to have a coalition with the opposition,” Galvez said.
“That’s why our intention is really to protect yung ating legitimate opposition,” he added.
“But based sir on intel report sir, while the CPP would like to forge a coalition, naki-pag coalition po ba kami sir?” Trillanes pressed.
“No sir,” Galvez quickly said.
“I’m glad Sir, at leas maliwanag yun kasi talagang hindi namin gagawin yun,” Trillanes said.
In fact, the senator said they were trying to influence also within legitimate opposition to “steer clear” of the communist rebels.
“For as long as they (CPP) are killing our soldiers, talagang magiging tubig at langis ito. Hindi talagang paghaluin ito,” added Trillanes, who was a former navy officer. /muf