New AFP chief denies coup rumors

From GMA News (Jul 24): New AFP chief denies coup rumors

Newly installed military chief Lt. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. on Thursday denied rumors of a coup after the Supreme Court voted unanimously to strike down as unconstitutional specific acts under the Aquino administration's Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).

"Walang coup," Catapang told reporters. "We are focused on our job kasi may mas malaki tayong hinaharap."

He also stressed that while he is known to have been a member of the Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM) — a group of military officers that launched coup attempts against Aquino's mother, the late President Corazon Aquino — he sees no reason for a coup against the country's current commander-in-chief.

"I was a reformist, ako ang nagpangalan ng RAM," he said, adding RAM was created to "restore ethics, fairmindedness, orderliness and morale."

"Ang tingin ko na-restore na lahat 'yon, nabalik na 'yung ethics sa atin, righteousness... matuwid na daan na tayo," Catapang said.

"Na-experience na  natin yan nung mga panahon ng 1980s so tapos na tayo dyan, we have a more, bigger problems, yun nga sinasabi ko panay global poblems na hinahanap natin," he added.

A source from the Armed Forces of the Philippines told GMA News Online that Catapang participated in the 1986 coup attempt against then-President Ferdinand Marcos that eventually led to the People Power revolt that catapulted Mrs. Aquino to the presidency.

The source, however, said Catapang was also among the RAM members who participated in one of the two coup attempts against Mrs. Aquino in 1987.

Catapang has earlier ordered troops to steer clear of politics amid coup rumors.

"We should be reminded that as members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, we should remain professional and non-partisan," he said.

The Supreme Court ruling on DAP has resulted in two impeachment complaints against Aquino. The first suit, filed Monday, was endorsed by Bayan Muna Reps. Carlos Zarate and Neri Colmenares, and Anakapawis Rep. Fernando Hicap. The second was filed the next day and it was endorsed by Kabataan party-list Rep. Terry Ridon.

The DAP is a discretionary fund that came under fire last year after Sen. Jinggoy Estrada revealed that several senators received P50 million to P100 million each after the conviction of former Chief Justice Renato Corona by the Senate impeachment court in 2012.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/371833/news/nation/new-afp-chief-denies-coup-rumors