Trillanes, Cayetano belittle destabilization rumor

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV. Photo courtesy of Trillanes’ Facebook page.

MANILA – Senators Antonio Trillanes IV and Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano belittled on Thursday the rumor of destabilization plot against President Benigno S. Aquino III.

”I don’t see it happening,” Trillanes, a former Navy officer who led the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny aimed at ousting then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, said in the Kapihan sa Senado media forum.

Trillanes said any destabilization plot would not succeed without the support of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

”This humor of destabilization plot is purely social movement or at worst, mass action only. The meetings are for building up mass action only,” Trillanes said.

Trillanes said the emotions of the public should be diverted to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Bangsamoro Islamic Liberation Fighters (BIFF) who killed and took away the weapons and even clothes of the 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos in an encounter in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Jan. 25.

”Emotions should be diverted to the killers,” Trillanes said.

Malaysian bomb maker Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, was killed in the SAF operation as confirmed by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through DNA test. BIFF commander Basit Usman was able to escape.

Cayetano also expressed doubt whether the destabilization would prosper, saying President Aquino can handle the situation.

”I doubt that there is destabilization. The police and the military were just expressing their sentiments. There might be tension but I believe they are professionals who follow the chain of command,” Cayetano said.

Cayetano also rejected call for the President to resign but urged Malacanang to listen to the reasons why President Aquino is being asked to step down.

”If the President would resign, it would only complicate the situation,” Cayetano said.