Coup rumors have no basis — AFP chief

President Benigno S. Aquino III, accompanied by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)  Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. (Photo by Rolando Mailo/Malacañang Photo Bureau/PNA)

MANILA — Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang on Wednesday denied reports that there are segments of the military planning a coup d’ etat against President Benigno S. Aquino III.

He said AFP intelligence units are still to confirm this report.

“We are still to verify that (coup) report,” Catapang stressed.

Coup rumors started to float after some sectors demanded the resignation of President Aquino in wake of the bloody Mamasapano town, Maguindanao last Jan. 25 which resulted in the death of 44 Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) members.

Catapang stressed that the Chief Executive must be allowed to finish his term as President Aquino is a duly-elected public official.

“I think the President has a mandate with the people and the election is coming soon so I think it’s better to… we have to allow the President to finish his term because he is the duly elected, duly constituted authority of the country,” the AFP chief said.