Defense Sec. Gazmin downplays coup rumors

From GMA News (Feb 22): Defense Sec. Gazmin downplays coup rumors

There are no solid coup plots threatening the Aquino administration, despite what Sen. Miram Santiago said.

At least that’s what Defense Sec. Voltaire Gazmin said in an interview Saturday night.

“Wala, kaya nga rumor eh,” Gazmin said, even joking that reporters “had to be born just yesterday” if they believe rumors of a destabilization attempt.

Last week, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago said she received information about a brewing coup attempt reportedly being financed by an unidentified wealthy Filipino.

Despite downplaying the coup rumor, Gazmin said the Defense Department continues to monitor and verify threats. In a Senate hearing Thursday, Gazmin also admitted receiving reports of people planning to oust President Benigno Aquino III.

In the same interview, Gazmin was tight-lipped on the issue of what the government plans to do should the Moro Islamic Liberation Front refuse to surrender its men involved in the killing of 44 elite policemen in Mamasapano last month.

"Well, we will cross the bridge when [we get] there," said Gazmin. "Our actions will be based on facts. Right now, we still don’t have the facts. If we already have facts, that's the time we'll act."

Instead, he said, it would be best to wait for the results of the investigations being conducted by the government and the MILF on the matter.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/441760/news/nation/defense-sec-gazmin-downplays-coup-rumors