US embassy cable - 05MANILA1988

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 MANILA 001988 
 
SIPDIS 
 
BANGKOK FOR D STAFF 
STATE FOR EAP/PMBS, INR/EAP 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/02/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, PINS, PREL, PINR, ELAB, RP 
SUBJECT: MALACANANG DOWNPLAYS LATEST DESTABILIZATION PLOT 
 
 
Classified By: Political Officer Andrew McClearn for 
Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
1.  (C) Summary.  Former Defense Secretary Fortunato Abat and 
other retired officials stirred fresh coup plot jitters on 
April 30 when they publicly called for a "revolutionary 
transition government" to replace the current administration. 
 Malacanang downplayed the move, while the GRP continues to 
determine whether to charge Abat and others with sedition. 
Former president Fidel Ramos denied any links with the group 
and publicly reaffirmed his support for the administration. 
Opposition figures, including former president Estrada and 
FPJ's widow Susan Roces, also distanced themselves.  Few take 
Abat's effort seriously and it has no discernible support in 
the military.  Mission continues to underscore USG support 
for democracy and our total opposition to any form of 
extra-constitutional action.  End Summary. 
 
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"Coalition" Holds Press Conference 
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2.  (SBU) Former Defense Secretary Fortunato Abat and other 
retired officials on April 30 called for a "revolutionary 
transition government" to replace the current administration. 
 Abat, an 80-year old retired major general and SecDef under 
President Ramos 1997-98, addressed a public meeting in metro 
Manila and unveiled a "Program for National Salvation."   He 
charged the GRP with failing to solve crucial national 
problems, including endemic poverty and corruption and his 
group's 14-page program called for a &Revolutionary 
Transition" to a "new, Federal Republic of the Philippines" 
that would be managed by a "Revolutionary Council" led by 
both a Chairman and CEO, and which would include the Chief 
Justice, and leaders of the Philippine National Police (PNP) 
and the AFP.   The program also contained a "Prayer for New 
Hope," a "Premise for Change" detailing transitional steps 
toward a new government, and a five-page proposal calling for 
"authoritative government derived from the culture of the 
Filipino family that is traditionally paternalistic."  Abat 
insisted that his plan derived legitimacy from -- and was 
inspired by -- Section 1, Article II of the 1987 
Constitution, which states that "sovereignty resides in the 
people and all government authority emanates from them." 
Abat was quick to dismiss suggestions that his group -- the 
"Coalition for National Salvation Movement" -- was 
spearheading a revolt, instead asserting to reporters that 
"our only intention is to present our proposal for a 
revolutionary transition in order to reform this government." 
 
 
3.  (SBU) Abat's group reportedly also included: Gen. (ret'd) 
Ismael Appari of the "Soldier's Union Armed Forces 
Revolutionary Movement"; Atty. Louie Sison of Brother Eddie 
Villanueva's Bangon movement; Col. (ret'd) Guillermo Cunanan 
of the Christian Nationalist Union; Hamil Lucman Alonto of 
the Muslim Democratic Union; and former Budget Secretary 
Salvador Enriquez.  The April 30 meeting, which reportedly 
had a rushed, poorly choreographed feeling to it, ended in 
considerable confusion as Abat stormed out, apparently in 
reaction to protests from some attendees to a plan to 
participate in anti-Arroyo rallies to be held on May Day. 
 
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Malacanang Downplays "Coup" Plot 
-------------------------------- 
 
4.  (U) Malacanang downplayed Abat's move.  After hearing the 
news, President Arroyo told reporters that "we are dealing 
with nuisances and there are no real threats," adding "some 
critics are addicted to airing destabilization talk."  Arroyo 
then held a May 1 labor day mass and meeting with members of 
labor groups at Malacanang Palace.  Presidential Spokesman 
Secretary Ignacio Bunye issued several public comments 
 
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upholding Philippine democracy and the rule of law, and 
reaffirming the GRP's &routine8 efforts to ensure public 
safety and order.  He also called Abat's manifesto &the rant 
of a peddler of false hope.8  Prominent politicians 
disavowed the Abat group, including Speaker of the House 
Joseph De Venecia, who condemned it and called for an 
&open8 meeting of political leaders to condemn talk of 
"coup attempts." 
 
5.  (U) The Philippine National Police, the Department of 
Justice, and military security continue to determine whether 
to charge Abat and others with sedition.  Justice Secretary 
Raul Gonzalez criticized Abat for holding the April 30 press 
conference and "making threats" against the government.  The 
PNP is investigating whether Abat or others actually took 
steps &to destabilize8 the government.  Senior officials of 
the Armed Forces of the Philippines expressed support for the 
president and loyalty to the government.  In a weekend radio 
message, Army Chief Lt. Gen. Generoso Senga said he had made 
telephone calls to remind several area commanders that they 
must follow the chain of command.  According to media 
reports, some AFP commanders received invitations to join 
Abat's group, but had turned the offer down. 
 
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Ramos Disavows Move 
------------------- 
 
6.  (SBU) Former president Ramos explicitly denied any links 
with Abat,s group and publicly reaffirmed his support for 
the administration.  Ramos, interrupting a golf game with 
First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, called a press conference, 
during which he denounced Abat's proposed solutions as being 
"completely wrong."  Sitting alongside Malacanang Executive 
Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Ramos described Abat's effort as "a 
 
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harebrained scheme."  Ramos added that the last time he had 
communicated with Abat was five to six months ago, and that 
at that time he had had a falling out with Abat's "radical" 
proposals on how to improve the government.  Ramos expressed 
full confidence in the Arroyo administration and its ability 
to solve the country's problems. 
 
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Opposition Distances Itself 
--------------------------- 
 
7.  (SBU) Opposition figures also distanced themselves from 
Abat's announcement.  Former President Estrada, who is under 
house arrest, claimed that unspecified "FVR (Ramos) men" had 
unsuccessfully tried to recruit him to join them as a member 
of the "revolutionary council."  Estrada said he belittled 
the effort and chided the group by suggesting that if they 
really wanted him to support them, "they should make me the 
leader, the principal."  Senate Minority Leader Aquilino 
Pimentel called any call to establish a junta "illegal" and 
"unacceptable." 
 
8.  (C) Popular actress Susan Roces -- widow of 2004 
opposition presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ), who 
finished a close second to Arroyo -- met with Pol/C on April 
30, and expressed dislike for Abat and his supporters.  She 
insisted that she had nothing to do with Abat and manifested 
her contempt for him, especially some intemperate language he 
had used.  She wondered whether he would face charges of 
sedition.  Roces nonetheless also vented her frustration and 
bitterness with President Arroyo, and the perceived 
"injustice" of the May 2004 election, but reiterated her 
disinclination to become personally involved in Philippine 
politics. 
 
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Comment 
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9.  (C) Few take Abat's effort seriously and it has no 
discernible support in the military.  Some observers have 
labeled it tragic-comedic effort in light of its inept 
staging and the apparent tensions among members of the group. 
 Many assert that Abat's major gripe with President Arroyo is 
personal -- Abat was not re-appointed to a commission 
involved in base conversion in 2004 and reportedly remains 
angry with Arroyo over that fact.  Given the Philippines, 
long history of coup attempts, however, it is important that 
Malacanang nip any incipient coup effort firmly in the bud -- 
but not panic.  So far, Malacanang appears to have found the 
right mix in its response, which has been calm and judicious 
in tone.  Mission continues to underscore USG support for 
democracy and our total opposition to any form of 
extra-constitutional action. 
 
 
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You can also access this site through the State Department's 
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Ricciardone