A group of retired generals allegedly plotted a “coup attempt” to unseat President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and replace him with Vice President Sara Duterte, according to former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.
Trillanes disclosed that the plan was intended to coincide with the massive protest held on September 21.
Based on information he received, some retired generals allied with the Duterte camp actively reached out to military officers, urging them to take advantage of public anger over alleged corruption in flood control projects and use it as grounds to oust Marcos.
“Very active ‘yung grupo ng mga Duterte. Ang objective nila ay to install Sara as President. Ano ‘yung threat level? The threat level is nasa mild, medium level,” Trillanes said.
Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa also confirmed that some retired police and military officers are angry over the corruption issues tied to flood control projects.
“It (may) snowballs into something big then it will constitute a coup,” dela Rosa warned.
However, Retired Lt. Gen. Edilberto Adan, former Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), disagreed with the move, stressing that such plans lack widespread support.
“Isang tanong, anong mangyayari? Anong kasunod nun? Pinag-aralan ba nila ‘yun?” Adan said.
He added: “Sinong ipapalit? Paano? So, tignan din natin baka may mga political agenda din yan.”
The AFP, for its part, maintained that there is no need for loyalty checks, reiterating that the military has no plans of launching a coup against the Marcos administration.