Keep military out of politics, Palace says amid coup rumors, DAP issue

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) should be insulated from politics amid rumors of a possible coup triggered by the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) controversy, Malacañang said on Friday.

Valte said the executive branch had no verified information on the rumored coup or any destabilization plot against President Benigno Aquino III's administration.

 

"Wala, to be honest, wala. I remember the new chief-of-staff saying that the military should stay their course and to keep to their mandates," Valte said.

"Rumors will remain rumors until such time that there is any indication that they have become facts," she added.

 

Taking sides?

 

Malacañang's statement echoed new military chief Lt. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr.'s reminder to troops last Wednesday to "remain professional and non-partisan."

 

Catapang, however, admitted that the AFP benefited from the DAP, which has been declared partially unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

 

Asked if the new military chief himself is taking sides on the DAP issue, Valte replied, "Siguro, para na rin po sa ating mga sundalo, it's only a matter of information that they are being told na, well, ito po ang nakuha ng AFP."

 

Based on Department of Budget and Management records, the AFP received P397.3 million under the DAP, which was used for capacity-building for the West Philippine Sea territorial dispute, housing and communication systems to soldiers, and the rehabilitation of Air Education and Training Command.

 

The 120,000-member AFP has a history of coups and attempted coups. Catapang himself participated in attempt to topple the administration of President Aquino's mother, Corazon, in 1987, according to a GMA News Online source. —NB, GMA News