Biazon: Coup talk meant to extend Esperon's term

Senator Rodolfo Biazon on Monday downplayed fresh rumors about a supposed destabilization plot against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, saying this could be mere “drama" to prolong the term of Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. At the same time, the senator said that such talk only contributes to the country's instability. If there’s indeed a new ouster plot being hatched against President, Biazon said that Esperon, Secretary (Raul) Gonzalez and the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) should immediately arrest the would-be perpetrators. “They should be arrested. They should arrest them (the coup plotters)," Biazon, who chairs the Senate defense committee, stressed. “If there is any destabilizer now in the country, it is announcements like these by no less than her trusted lieutenants," he added. Biazon, citing his usual informants from the military establishments, said no new destabilization plot actually exists. “There’s no serious threat. There’s no such thing," he said. Biazon made the statements during a press briefing at the Senate Monday. “Is this a drama that is being foisted upon us because of the possibility of an extension of the AFP chief of staff?" Biazon said. “There is nothing wrong for the extension of Esperon if there is a proper justification according to the Constitution – which include war, widespread rebellion or declaration of a national emergency by the President," Biazon said. He also noted that even Esperon himself has not denied fully the report on new destabilization plot. “There is a lot of speculation. Meron ba ditong nagpapa-importante by making such statements? At bakit hindi complete ang denial ng Chief of Staff," Biazon said. “It’s being downplayed but not (being) fully denied," he added. Esperon will step down as AFP chief upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56 on February 9, 2008. However, rumors have begun to circulate that Esperon’s term would be extended by the President. The opposition senator likewise expressed surprise that announcements about a new developing ouster plot are emanating from the Department of Justice. “It seems that Secretary Raul Gonzalez had assumed the role of spokesman for security matters in this country. He had always been the one talking about destabilization, coup plots," Biazon said. Gonzalez had said the new ouster plot would be launched between January 17 to January 22. - GMANews.TV