By Gideon C. Corgue
PAGADIAN CITY – “The 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army will remain steadfast and loyal to the constituton, to the duly constituted authorities, to the flag, the country, and the people.”
Thus declared Tabak commander Brigadier General (BGen.) Gerry Barientos Jr., in a text message sent to Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-9 on Saturday in reaction to the rumors of a coup plot by the military against the government.
It can be recalled that Senator Antonio Trillanes IV has said in a televised interview that retired generals affiliated with former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo are plotting a coup against President Benigno S. Aquino III.
“The AFP is professional, disciplined and non-partisan organization. We will always be focused on our mandate of protecting the people and the state,” Barrientos said, who assumed as Tabak commander barely a month ago.
“With this, there is no reason for military to join any destabilization plot,” he added.
102nd Brigade Commander Col. Obligacion dismissed the coup plot rumors saying that “there is no such thing as destabilization plot in his area of responsibility.”
The 102nd brigde headquarters is located in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.
“I don’t believe in a coup nor the impeachment of President Aquino,” Obligacion said adding that the officers and men in his brigade remain loyal to the duly constituted authorities.
“Those who want to change the administration should wait for their turn in the next elections,” Obligacion quoted as saying.
For his part, Col. Gerry Besana, commander of 55th Infantry Brigade said the military is performing the mandate of the constitution.
“We the men and women in active service are performing the mandate of the constitution that is – protecting the people, securing the land. Further, we are guided by the Army Transformation Roadmap making us more credible, capable, dynamic, responsive and professional Army,” Besana pointed out.
Besana further said they are strictly adhering to the pronouncement of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Pio Catapang, Philippine Army (PA) Chief Major General Hernando Iriberri and Tabak commander BGen. Gerry Barrientos Jr. not to join any destabilization plot.
Besana dsclosed that nobody has been recruiting for the said cause in his area of responsibility.
The 102nd brigade covers parts of Zamboanga del Sur and Misamis Occidental whose headquarters is located at Oroquieta City.
The brigade commander, however said that any group planning to hold coup d’etat is just nothing but a waste of time.
Despite the rumors, Besana encouraged the group to actively support and advocate for the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) ‘Bayanihan’ campaign of the Philippine Army to attain lasting peace and development in the land.