MANILA, Philippines—It’s all just a “rumor.”
With Senator Antonio Trillanes claiming that retired generals are planning to overthrow the administration of President Benigno Aquino III, the Department of National Defense on Thursday said any information about a destabilization plot does not have factual basis.
Defense Spokesman Peter Galvez said that whoever is the one spreading the coup rumors should immediately stop.
“Whoever the rumor monger is, he or she must stop,” Galvez said. “They should stop saying things like that.”
“These would not bring any good, there are no ire from the troops, and we all know what the President has done for us.”
Galvez added that there are no basis for a coup d’etat and they have not monitored any possible factor that may trigger a coup within the ranks of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
During the visits of AFP Chief of Staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang to the main headquarters of the three branches of the military, he assured that there would be no destabilization and that the troops are loyal and professional.
On Tuesday, Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala, AFP Public Affairs Office Chief, said that the troops know their responsibility of safeguarding the nation.
Trillanes claims that retired generals are spearheading a destabilization plot, yet one retired AFP Chief of Staff has called it false.
Retired General Hermogenes Esperon, the AFP Chief of Staff during the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, said the troops have no reason to overthrow the Aquino administration.
“The soldiers are concentrating on their jobs, even with all these things that are happening, they are very professional in their actions,” Galvez said.
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