YOU founder seeks House seat in La Union

One of the founding leaders of the Young Officers Union that staged the bloody December 1989 coup has decided to seek the congressional seat in the second district of La Union. Retired Army Maj. Abraham Purugganan is Team Unity’s bet, having filed his certificate of candidacy on Thursday morning in San Fernando City. Purugganan said he would introduce military and political reforms should he wins a House seat. He also vowed to introduce measures regarding peace and order, job creation, as well as establishment of health and education programs in his region. A former Scout Ranger officer, Purugganan founded the YOU in the late 1980s along with Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and Marine Col. Ariel Querubin, who are both currently detained in connection with the botched February 2006 coup. At the time, the YOU provided the muscle to the Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabayan (RAM) headed by then Col. Gregorio Honasan in staging the most bloody coup attempt against former President Corazon Aquino. Incidentally, Honasan is also under detention in connection with his supposed role in the July 27, 2003 mutiny staged by over 300 junior officers and men. An independent senatorial candidate, Honasan also stands accused of rebellion in connection with the 2006 February coup. After the 1989 coup, Purugganan resigned from the service even if the military rebels were able to forge a peace pact with the government during the term of President Fidel Ramos. He later emerged as an ally of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Purugganan said he wanted to introduce reforms within the bounds of the Constitution. He believes that a number of reform-minded military officers and men would support his candidacy in whatever way. "If we are going to talk about reforms, they are going to support it but not through violent means." Asked if it was only incidental that he is running under the administration being denounced by Lim and Querubin, Purugganan said: "Maybe, I have decided to abide by the provisions of the peace agreement with the government." "I now want peace, unity and prosperity not only in my province of La Union but also in entire country. We are already through with the bloody struggle. It will never be a solution to bring about reforms and changes in the government," he said. Purugganan is a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class of 1978, whose adopted members are Lim (US Military Academy 1978) and President Arroyo. - GMANews.TV