Arroyo cautions cadets of coups

Manila: President Gloria Arroyo wined and dined the new graduates of the elite Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in northern Luzon and told them not to be mesmerised by promises of coup plotters who use the military for political intrigues.

In a speech at the PMA, Arroyo said that military men must have "undivided focus on security concerns and not on political intrigue".

"There are many forces that wish to drag us back and stop our forward progress. Some of you know that personally. Some of you have been the objects of attempts at recruitment," Arroyo said.

Noting that the Armed Forces of the Philippines will redeem itself by acting harshly on erring military men in the past, Arroyo said, "We cannot keep sweeping disloyalty under the rug. We cannot even allow disloyalty to face the rug with a few push-ups.

"We must sweep disloyalty out of our house once and for all."

She referred to former President Fidel Ramos, a career military officer, who forged a peace settlement with the right-wing rebel soldiers in 1995, by askingformer coup plotters from 1986 to 1989 to do push-ups. Many right wing rebel soldiers were also reinstated. A people-backed military mutiny ousted former dictator Ferdinand Marcos and propped up President Corazon Aquino in 1986.

She faced several failed coup plots from 1986 to 1989, when she refused power sharing with the right wing rebel soldiers.

Most of the coup plotters in 1986 have been accused of participating in alleged coup plots against Arroyo since 2003.

Last month, Arroyo declared a state of emergency to quash an alleged coup attempt by a coalition of right and left wing rebels. Although the coup plotters of 2003 have been scheduled for a court martial, many believe that the highly politicised military institution will continue to be the source of coup plots. Arroyo also said the real enemies are leftists and Muslim terrorists in the south who are funded by international groups. On the eve of the graduation, Arroyo hosted a dinner for the cadets, their relatives and guests at The Mansion, the official residence of the president.

The sprawling grounds of the venue were transformed into a huge outdoor dining hall with tents. Arroyo posed with the cadets and their families. She took time to chat with the proud parents of the graduates.

Cadet Ariel Toledo, PMA's magna cum laude, said, "This dinner offers us a chance to be with our commander-in-chief."

PEACE
'Final settlement of conflict soon'

President Gloria Arroyo said yesterday the combined might of the government, the military and assistance from international allies will pave the way for the final settlement of the decades-old conflict in the southern Philippines.

Arroyo cited the role of the military in bringing about peace in Mindanao, the turf of an estimated five million Muslims.

"Against the backdrop of the threats posed by extremists and faithless thugs who wish to tear down everything that we believe in, you, our military compatriots, are a vital part of bringing us to the brink of peace in Mindanao," Arroyo said.

"The combined political will of our government of which you [the militarymen] are a part, and our international friends and neighbours will make a lasting peace in Mindanao that will make us proud," Arroyo said.

She did not elaborate on the peace talks between Manila and the MILF in Malaysia. The Philippine government and the MILF have been holding peace talks since 1997.