Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor CHERYL CRUZ Desk Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

One of the stranger issues that were raised after President Aquino’s 5th State of the Nation Address were  the wild rumors of a coup attempt on top of the multiple impeachment complaints that have been lodged against Aquino and his administration’s controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program.

Coup veteran Senator Antonio Trillanes IV claimed last week that some retired generals associated with former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo are plotting against the Aquino administration. Adding to the paranoia was the sighting of an armored personnel carrier escorting some military trucks carrying heavy weapons and equipment along EDSA just when the rumors were circulating.

Malcañang quickly downplayed the rumors, saying loyalty checks would be unnecessary as there is no restiveness in the Armed Forces. Armed Forces chief Gen. Pio Catapang Jr. had also denied rumors of a coup shortly after the Supreme Court voted unanimously to strike down as unconstitutional specific acts under Aquino’s DAP.

President Aquino’s popularity may have taken a dip and his presidency may have to deal with impeachment cases, but with the armed forces finally getting enough support and supplies after decades of neglect, it is easy to see why the coup rumors were so easily dismissed. What is interesting, though, is how these rumors have managed to become almost credible.

It could be the coup-prone history of the Philippines of late, with the last one involving Sen. Trillanes himself; coupled with the recent instability around the world, such as the military takeover of Thailand, the Arab Spring and the putsch in Ukraine; that make it easy for gullible Filipinos to believe that our armed forces are still capable of being manipulated into staging another coup d’etat.

Comparing the situation today to how volatile things were when the last coup attempt was launched during the so-called Manila Peninsula Siege of 2007, a coup attempt would certainly seem unlikely and it boggles the mind how such a far-fetched and unsubstantiated rumor could be given so much weight by the media.

As we hope that things have improved within our government and its armed forces to the point that they can no longer be egged and manipulated into participating in useless coup attempts, let us also contribute to the stability by being more circumspect when it comes to such rumors.*