January 19, 2002, AFP, Ex-coup leaders deny another plot against Philippines government,

January 19, 2002, AFP, Ex-coup leaders deny another plot against Philippines government,

MANILA, Jan 19 (AFP) -

Ninety serving and retired military and police officers involved in past coup attempts against the Philippine government revealed their identities on Saturday and said they were through with power-grabs.

The former members of the Young Officers' Union (YOU) said in a public forum with Philippine President Gloria Arroyo that they were disclosing their identities to disassociate themselves from people apparently involved in new coup plots who claimed to be members of their organisation.

"Some people who have claimed or may still claim to speak for the YOU are mere rabble rousers or political operators," representatives of the the 90 officers said in a statement.

"In no way do they represent the YOU nor can they claim to be expressing the views of the YOU."

The group, which took part in coup attempts against then-president Corazon Aquino in the late-1980s, said they had disbanded after sealing an amnesty accord with the government in 1995 and its members were "not plotting against the present administration".

"We are not part of any destabilization nor of any coup plot, rebellion or mutiny whatsoever and never will be," the representatives said.

Arroyo immediately welcomed their statement.

"I admire your courage and integrity in identifying yourselves," she said.

"Your statement today should mark everyone's realization that coup attempts in our country are a thing of the past.

"Let us put to rest all thee inanities of coup plots."

There has been persistent rumours in the Philippines for weeks that plots are being hatched to destabilize the Arroyo government.

These rumours became more credible after after an ex-lieutenant, Baron Cervantes, who claimed to be spokesman for the YOU, was murdered on December 31, just after he alleged that some active and retired military men were planning to destabilize the country.

But YOU members have denied Cervantes was their spokesman.

The YOU representatives at the forum said they were willing to help in the unsolved killing of Cervantes and denied that there was any rift in their group that might be linked to Cervantes' death.

Arroyo had earlier said that plots to destabilize her government had been neutralized but did not say who was behind the plots.