‘Coup’ starts in text messages

If the text messages circulating Sunday afternoon are to be believed, a coup d’etat has already started in Metro Manila. Text messages started to circulate around 4 p.m. Sunday urging the public to proceed to Fort Bonifacio in Taguig after the reported resignation of the commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps. “Coup has started. Let us protect marines. Go to Fort Boni use gate 3 Pasong Tamo ext. Pls pass," one text message said. Major Melquiades Ordiales, Philippine Marine Spokesman, said the situation in Fort Bonifacio is normal. He advised journalists who rushed to the military camp to wait for the scheduled press conference of Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda, who reportedly resigned as Philippine Marine commandant. Colonel Tristan Kison, military spokesman, said Miranda requested for his relief due to personal reasons.