AFP denies destabilization plots

MANILA, Philippines—The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Tuesday denied there are destabilization moves within its ranks after coup rumors circulated following the reported “demoralization” in the military as a result of President Aquino’s decision against an all-out war (despite calls for it) against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

In a press conference, AFP spokesman Colonel Arnulfo Burgos said there is also no need to conduct a loyalty check within their ranks.

We don’t need a loyalty check at this point; we’re confident there is no destabilization plot emanating from the ranks of the military,” Burgos told reporters.

Speculations of a brewing coup attempt came about after the commander-in-chief thumbed down calls of various sectors to temporarily suspend or entirely junk the ongoing peace talks with the MILF and launch an all-out-war against the rebel group following the attack in Al Barka, Basilan, last October 18, which killed 19 soldiers, including six who had been murdered by rebels.

Burgos said that part of the responsibility of ground commanders is to continuously ensure that their soldiers have good morale with or without bloody encounters like what happened in Basilan and Lanao del Norte last week.

“Unang-una kasama ’yan sa (First of all, that [good morale] part of the armed forces—we regularly conduct troop formation and education ’di lang (not only among) operating troops kundi lahat ng tropa (but among all soldiers). Part ’yan (That’s part) of making sure morale and welfare of the armed forces are enhanced. ’Pag low morale personnel that means ineffective, ’di siya puwede gamitin sa operation (If personnel have low morale that means they are ineffective and they cannot be used for operations),” Burgos said.

He added that the ongoing law-enforcement operations against lawless troops in Zamboanga Sibugay are an indication that soldiers have high morale, Burgos added.

Aquino on Monday ordered intensified police and military operations in Mindanao in pursuit of lawless elements and not against the MILF.

The military and the Philippine National Police launched attacks against the group of MILF leader Waning Abdulsalam in Zamboanga Sibugay on Monday. Two OV-10 bomber planes of the Philippine Air Forces were deployed to conduct air strikes in the MILF`s stronghold in Payao town.

Mabanta said that the main objective of the attacks in Zamboanga Sibugay was to serve arrest warrants to 11 MILF rebels, including Abdulsalam, for their alleged involvement in kidnapping and killings in the area.