Officers and men of the Philippine Army in Negros Oriental are in support of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, amid reports of an ouster plot against him, Col. Francisco Patrimonio, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade based in Tanjay City, Negros Oriental, said yesterday.

There is no movement of troops in the Army units under his leadership, Patrimonio stressed.

He added he has not received any reports of retired military officers or personnel visiting Army camps to recruit supporters of the destabilization plot against the Aquino administration.

No official communication was received from the 3rd Infantry Division based in Panay on a planned coup attempt, Patrimonio also said.

But he said he will order his unit commanders, specifically the 79th Infantry Battalion, the 11th IB, and the 1st Scout Ranger’s Alpha Company, to closely monitor their troops and the visitors to their camps.

Admitting that an attempt to destabilize the Aquino government may not be impossible, those who may be behind the plot will not succeed, Patrimonio said, adding that there are no legitimate issues against the administration.

The current political climate is not the same as in previous administrations that had faced coup attempts, he pointed out.*JFP

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