coup or "armed protest"????????

[spamhog]

Now that the dust has settled somewhat let the finger pointing begin. By now the “coup attempt” has made its rounds with the international media, just thought I’s add my thoughts as to what it was or wasn’t.

First thank God nobody was hurt, The sun splashed republic doesn;t need any more of THAT.

Anyhow, Sunday about seventy junior officers representing various services of the PI military along with about 100 or so rank an file grunts carried out a well orchestrated occupation of the Ayala business center in upscale Makati Manila, for those of you who don’t know this is the heart of “foreigner” central, the Oakwood apts houses embassy staff from many different countries and is the residence of the Australian Ambassador. They set up quite a perimeter utilizing planted explosives, roof top sniper teams and busses to block and barricade.

Although this was reported as a “coup” attempt, actually it was more of a protest and cal for attention, Ayala is too far away from the Presidential Palace or any other building to be of strastigic value in any coup,( Makati has lots of good bars and a few interesting strip joints though.)

Anyhow these fellows evacuated the area and were by all reports, polite, kind and non threateneing to anyone, the reports about holding the Aussie Ambassador were so much media bunk IMHO, they escoerted him out when the figured out who he was.

This group held out for some time and finally aired a list of demands before surrendering late in the day. Some of the things they were upset with was the corruption in the AFP (who isn’t) illustrating the recent Al0Ghozi escape as an example, also the fact that the Govt has sold arms to the MILF, according to the disgruntled elements in the Military are responsible for the two Davao bombings (prue BS IMHO).

It is suspected that Senator “gringo” Hasanan may have had something to do with the whole affair, Hosanan a former Colonel was involved in seven previous plots and attempts in the late 80’s, somebody pardoned him and made him a senator (go figure). An Estrada aide was arrested Monday in connection with the incident supposedly they used his estate to stage some of the logistics.

Anyhow there have been coup rumors all year, I suppose this is the best anybody could do. General feeling was that these guys had legitimate gripes but screwed up using the guns and bombs and getting near foreigners with ’em. There was some “popular support” that gathered near the sight about 800 folks waving banners but it never grew into the hope for turn out ala EDSA when Nuns, Priests old ladies and students faced down Marcos troops back in the 80’s.

Never a dull moment.

Spamhog :evil: .

[kramer]

Heck, if they were that good at setting up this deal in the middle of foreigner central they should be promoted! (it was at night tho i presume).
Instead its probably tickets for them. Did they really think anything would be done or are they martyrs who’ll be rewarded by their backers if nothing is done in the future about the afp and something bigger happens?

[spamhog]

Never a dull moment in PI politics, there is a good chance these guys are gonna get away scott free, was listening to various senators and other politicos on this today, they really can’t decide if they are gonna court martial them, incarcerate them, or charge ’em with treason in a civilain court, or just let ’em go and forget the whole thing.

Typical tactic, argue the point for weeks until everyone forgets and the next crises comes along. Also you gotta remember that Honasan and dozens of others now big wigs went the coupe route beore in the late 80’s after Marcos left and Corazon Aquine, a housewife whom the people elected for the hell of it apparently, never in politics but the wife of slain candidate. Some of those guys were involved in all seven armed coupe attempts and ALL of them invovled bloodshed, body counts were in the hundreds in some cases. so they got pardoned and elected to office.

These troops occupioed a shopping center and apartment complex for a few hours…..who knows one of them might get elected president in next years election.

Go figure

Spamhog

[ROB]

Any new gossip to report from teh fallout? I have been starved of news completely for the last month and a half.

If only you could put news into a syringe… :shock:

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