SENATOR LACSON ON THE "FREEDOM FORCE" ISSUE

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. and Senators Panfilo Lacson and Gregorio Honasan said the PNP should look into the matter and determine the possible action that can be taken to avert a military coup.

"Considering the attention and government resources spent to get me and other opposition personalities after the May 1 farce last year, the more effort President Arroyo should exert now in seeing to it that these people are charged and prosecuted for actually plotting against the government," Lacson said.

Lacson and Honasan were among those ordered arrested without warrant during the state of rebellion declared by the Arroyo administration after the May 1 incident.

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In joining Pimentel and Lacson, another opposition Sen. Teresa Aquino-Oreta, challenged Mrs. Arroyo to investigate and unmask those actually behind the latest coup plot that failed to secure the “blessings” of Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin.

Lacson, who was once charged with rebellion and ordered arrested without warrant at the height of the senatorial campaign last year, said Malacañang should also expose to the public the 19 generals, leaders of the middle class and business groups who have plotted to oust Mrs. Arroyo as sitting President.

In an interview with reporters, Lacson expressed doubts whether those named in newspaper accounts are actually the ones behind it as he insinuated possible participation of a well-known figure in the alleged coup plot.

“I can only suspect one very active individual but one who knows how to hide behind a mask, a former official. Who is behind all these moves? He should be unmasked,” he said.

When pressed by reporters to confirm if he was referring to former President Fidel Ramos, whom Copa secretary general Pastor “Boy” Saycon is known to be identified with, the senator refused to name him.

“We must know who among these generals are retired and who are still in active service. The masterminds must also be identified and immediately prosecuted no matter who they are and regardless of their stature. They must nip this in the bud because we cannot allow another volatile and divisive situation to stall our recovery efforts,” he said.

“I hope Malacañang will not turn a deaf ear to this clear admission of culpability,” Lacson added.

Deputy Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III urged Mrs. Arroyo to exhibit the same force when she assailed the alleged plot by Lacson, Honasan, Maceda and Enrile to oust her from her post through a people's revolt.

“The law should be applied to all. They charged the four with rebellion before. They should do the same now if only to prove that there is equal justice in this country,” Sotto said in another interview, adding “Malacañang should investigate this matter.”

Lacson shared the position taken by Sotto.

NOTE: DURING THE SERIES OF METRO MANILA BOMBING ON DECEMBER 30, 2000, AN UNIDENTIFIED CALLER WHOSE CELLULAR PHONE NUMBER WAS CAPTURED BY THE CALLER ID OF REGIONAL TACTICAL OPERATIONS CENTER, NCR POLICE OFFICE UNDER DIRECTOR EDGAR AGLIPAY INTRODUCED HIMSELF AS "FREEDOM FIGHTER". HE CALLED TWICE, FIRST AT 11:30 A.M. AND THE NEXT CALL WAS AT 6:30PM. HOW IS "FREEDOM FIGHTER" RELATED TO "FREEDOM FORCE?". WHAT IS THE RELATION OF THE GROUP TO "FORCES"- FEDERATION OF RETIRED CAVALIERS AND ENLISTED SERVICEMEN WHOSE MEMBERS ARE RETIRED GENERALS? DODI LIMCAOCO IN 2000 PAID INQUIRER A WHOLE PAGE ADVERTISEMENT AND PROPAGANDA AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATION AT THAT TIME SUPPOSEDLY COMING FROM THE MILITARY AND GENERALS. CORY AQUINO LATER DISOWNED LIMCAOCO AS HER SPOKESMAN. SAME PLAYERS, SAME STYLE, SAME PURPOSE OF GRABBING POWER!

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