President Benigno S. Aquino III presides over the National Economic and Development Authority Board Meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (February 16). Also in photo are Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr., Secretary to the Cabinet Jose Rene Almendras, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima and Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Norberto Gonzales Jr., former national security adviser and defense secretary of ex-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, was among those planning to oust President Benigno Aquino III, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said Monday.
“Yes,” was Trillanes’ reply to reporters when asked if Gonzales was part of those planning to destabilize the administration.
“May nagpaplano na magpatalsik… They are hoping to recruit active members of the Armed Forces,” he said in a chance interview.
Asked about the role of Gonzales, the senator said the former Cabinet secretary just wanted to cause chaos in the country.
“(Ang papel niya) manggulo sa Pilipinas. Wala (siyang capability). That guy is a sociopath, ‘pag merong nasa utak, he will pursue that,” he said.
He added that Gonzales has “no influence whatsoever but he is trying to project as if he has one.”
“We checked everything about him. Ngayon solo na lang siya,” he further said.
He reiterated that the coup plot is no cause for alarm but it should alert everyone.
“Ang sa akin lang, there is no need to be alarmed but we can’t be complacent having experienced this. Makakuha ka lang ng sundalong disgruntled na may valid grievances, this can become a very bad situation for this administration. ‘Yun ang hino-hope namin, na hindi mag-meet ‘yung mga ganun,” said Trillanes.
He said exposing the plan to the public is the best thing that they can do.
“Ang pinaka-deterrence, i-expose natin na alam natin kung sinu-sino sila na nagre-recruit para maalarma ‘yung Armed Forces. ‘Pag labas sa media dati, magla-lielow kami,” he said.
Upon the questioning of Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago on Thursday, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin admitted receiving a report on a coup plot but said they are still verifying it.
Santiago said the coup plot is being financed by a rich man whom she did not identify. (MNS)