The Chinese August or Velvet Moon Festival ordinarily evokes childhood excitement for me, particularly one of enjoying gastronomic pleasures of the Chinese kind featuring the multiple-filling, tummy-filling Moon Cake, that bready hopia that come in various varieties in special wrappings and air-tight tin cans.
But if we are to believe media reports being attributed to anonymous sources, a different Velvet MoonFest is supposedly being molded, a plot that could turn the Philippines into a Banana Republic, a republic in the mold of Latin America’s military junta-ruled societies.
I am not one to immediately give credence to such reports absent confirmation from two or more reliable sources.
This is because the report specifically implicates retired star-rank personalities whose management expertise has been tapped by Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Here’s how the opposition-leaning Daily Tribune is narrating it:
PMA ’78 TO BACK OCTOBER SELF-COUP
Oplan August Moon seeks Gloria perpetuityBy Mario J. Mallari
06/29/2009
A velvet coup plot, dubbed Operation Plan August Moon, which is aimed at perpetuating President Arroyo in power beyond 2010 by placing generals loyal to her in key military and police posts is in place, concerned members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said yesterday.
Oplan August Moon, sources claimed, would benefit members of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class of 1978 which includes Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit, commanding general of the 70,000-strong Philippine Army, and has President Arroyo as honorary member.
In the alleged plot, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Victor Ibrado would become the “collateral damage” as the group would push Bangit as replacement for the incumbent military chief.
“The plotters target October as the finale of the three-month campaign wherein Bangit would replace General Ibrado…other key posts would be given to other members of the PMA Class of 1978,” a source said.
Oplan August Moon was inspired by the Chinese’s Moon Festival, a popular harvest festivities started during the Shang Dynasty 3,000 years ago.
Other members of the PMA Class of 1978 occupying key positions in the AFP and Philippine National Police (PNP) are Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Oscar Rabena, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Chief Supt. Roberto Rosales and Intelligence Service of the AFP (Isafp) chief Maj. Gen. Romeo Preztosa.
The AFP leadership, however, has maintained that all promotions to key positions in the military go through the rigid selection process being conducted by the board of generals.
Almost the same scenario was earlier exposed by Nueva Ecija Rep. Edno Joson who expressed belief that President Arroyo is conniving with PMA Class of 1978 in pushing the constitutional amendment through constituent assembly (con-ass). Joson’s view came following the passage of Resolution 1109 before the House of Representatives by allies of the Arroyo administration.
Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner, AFP spokesman, however, yesterday quickly dismissed the supposed plot as non-existent as he maintained the AFP is professional.
“As far as the AFP is concerned, Oplan August Moon does not exist,” said Brawner.
“Moreover, there are no dissenters among the ranks of the AFP other than those who are already in detention,” Brawner further said.
Another military source branded the plot as another desperate move by the Arroyo administration to remain in power.
“Whatever it takes just to remain in power beyond 2010,” the source said.
Retired Commodore and military critic Rex Robles slammed the plan: “This violates the existing policy of the military which prohibits you from being reassigned one year before you retire.’’
“The military leadership should do something about this. These officers should retire properly,’’ he said.
The plot is anchored on perpetuating the Arroyo administration to stay in power beyond 2010. The President is an adopted member of Class 78.
Joson earlier raised possibility that the influential Class 78 is exploiting current political developments, including the revival of Dacer-Corbito double murder case.
“A disgruntled military will mean all kinds of trouble in our country,” he said in a text message.
Militant Gabriela Women’s Group Rep. Liza Maza said shared Joson’s view that Class ’78 is a “powerful instrument” in manipulating and twisting the country’s history.
Earlier, Senators are convinced that members of the favored Class 78 are bent on pushing Charter Change through constitutional assembly.
Sen. Roldofo Biazon had warned that he feels varying levels of “emotional involvement” among soldiers.
Opposition stalwart Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr., said members of Class 78 occupy juicy posts in the military.
Bishop Deogracias Yniguez of Caloocan cautioned that the “will of the people should prevail” and hopes that members of Class 78 will not allow themselves “to be used.”
Explained Yniguez. “The danger signals are already beginning to appear. There is now a wide spread expression of opposition to the measure and there is a growing restlessness among significant sectors who are calling for action to defeat this obvious attempt to take a short cut to change the fundamental law.”
Rep. Erin Tañada believes that PMA Class ’78 should “stay away from politics” as the military should remain apolitical.
Sources at Camp Aguinaldo said “a number of soldiers have joined the swelling ranks of dissenters in the AFP.”
The same sources detailed possible scenarios that might happen should President Arroyo insist on using the military, particularly members of Class 78, in pushing Charter Change.
Bangit became famous when, as intelligence chief, he threw P500 bills, during the Christmas party of the Intelligence Service of the AFP in 2006.
Intelligence officers said “emperor” is their code name for Bangit, who also headed the Presidential Security Group.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20090629hed1.html
We only have a little over 10 months left before the elections.
Let not any extra-legal adventurism lay to waste our democracy for this supposed plot to extend one person’s hold on power.
Remember well the truism:
“He who rides the tiger not knowing how to get off gets eaten instead.”
Popularity: 1% [?]
concerned members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines said
sources claimed
a source said
Sources at Camp Aguinaldo
Intelligence officers
the source
Nueva Ecija Rep. Edno Joson
Rex Robles
Rep. Liza Maza
Roldofo Biazon
Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr
Rep. Erin Tañada
Bishop Deogracias Yniguez
——————
Unknown sources plus avid anti-GMA political players are what this piece relies on. There’s no copy of a plan or any evidence which points to such a thing existing.
Why not claim the moon is made of cheese? It’s just as easy to do.
This looks like an Inquirer article, wherein the piece is represented as journalism (even the much-balyhooed “investigative journalism), though it’s an opinion piece at best.
I don’t accuse the writer of knowingly posting falsehoods, but I don’t see a basis of the “information” being true. There is also a possibility that the writer has been fed falsehoods by someone who knew they are such.
RC,
This is why you will note I prefaced my quote of the report with this:
“I am not one to immediately give credence to such reports absent confirmation from two or more reliable sources.”
As I write this I am calling my own contacts in the uniformed services.
I will take at face value, for now, the assertions of officials of the government of the day about our military and police “being apolitical and professional.”
One sad reality though is how top politicians past, and present, do cultivate the loyalty of our men in uniform.
Ding,
I purposefully kept you/your name out of it. It’s Mallari who stepped over the line, knowingly or otherwise.
If I were a national politician, I most certainly would cultivate the loyalty of the armed services…and that goes for most countries in the world, not just in the Phillippines.
I noted in the other Oplan blog entry that Biazon is already backing off this story. I even saw that Lacson rejects it (and I wondered if he had started it!).
Hi RC,
You problem with reports quoting anonymous sources is valid.
I, too am only too aware that when sources bearing sensitive information ‘vigorously volunteer information’ particular when they seek out the journalist rather than their being sought.
It’s a delicate balancing act:weighing the importance of the story break as against the possibility of it being ‘fed’ info aimed at launching trial balloons or worse.
In my years, the ethical considerations and trust factor between me and my source/s are key.
Ding,
That’s good to hear/read. I take you at your word that you are careful.
Nonetheless, have you contributed to the spread of the latest Oplan rumor by giving it recognition in this very blog? The act of simply repeating it — even with caveats in a prologue — feeds the fire.
Would you agree that the 4th Estate has let this situation get out of hand? It seems to me that I can find the “problem” everywhere — Misleading Headlines, opinions foisted as journalistic facts, allegations morphing into facts, etc — regardless of the medium.
All this angst, the rumors, the street protests. The one FACT is that Ms. Arroyo has done precious little to calm the waters, to give Filipinos the security of knowing their nation is in the hands of Law, not people.
Joe
Joe,
What would you suggest? What could GMA say or do that would reduce angst? What could others do to reduce angst?
Are rumours — devoid of factual, substantive basis — helpful or harmful? What can be done about them? What is the role in media in helping/hurting?
Reality,
I like the occasional press conferences that American presidents hold. They are in an intimate setting, with maybe 30 top-notch international journalists, who ask questions point-blank. Sometimes even rude, they are so candid. Or just a speech on the subject, to say how much she appreciates people’s concerns about a smooth transition in 2010, and that she will do all in her power to ensure same . . .
Joe
Joe,
Good suggestion about the Prez facing the press herself in a free-wheeling affair. Not really her style (and not an Asian, let alone Pinoy, style), but doable.
As far as content, Malacanang has repeatedly and consistently said that there will be full elections in 2010 and that she will step down from the Presidency. Now, you can chosee to beleive her or not, but what you suggest be said HAS been said.
If it’s just a rumor, so what? Do we expect Gloria to confirm the rumor is true so we can believe it?
If it does not happen then that’s good.
If the rumor is a warning to us of an impending catastrophe and we are forewarned, that’s good too.
If people in the position of power does something to prevent the rumor from happening, well then, that’s even better.
Ahem ahem… Philippines IS a Banana republic. :lol:
Hi Bong. (wink). Mas diversified nang kaunti agri-business natin,Hehehe.
Ding:
At 4.7M MT, and 8.5M MT, corn & rice agri-business is for local consumption. we even import rice due to shortfalls in production.
Exports wise – no other commodity can top bananas to become the “top banana”. Add to that:
* A history of Spanish colonization
* the number of generals who hold the plum positions in the civilian government bureaucracy
* a dominant culture where people behave like feudal serfs
* a wide disparity between the poor and the rich
- Philippines IS a BANANA republic. ;)
AugustMoon is further illustration of the flaw regarding “metro-Manila-surge-the-Gate” and Lim or Trillanes’ call-to-their-military-brethren to “protect democracy”.
The call to the military to intervene using the Lim-theme (“protect the democracy”-kuno) is also a call to AugustMoon plotters to go do. Kung papayagan sila ng mga tao, eh di tayo, puwede rin, Bakit nga ba hindi????
Banana is banana is banana.
Hehehe. Am partial to pineapple.
I think it’s because to too much babana that our politicos are constipated, Bong.
ding:
ma pineapple, ma-banana. ma-coconut – same same owners pa ren. market dominated by multinationals. political unstable.
banana republic pa rin ang dating.