Posted on: Thursday, August 14, 2003
EDITORIAL
Philippines narrowly missed dictatorship
To hear officials in Manila tell it, the Philippines is extremely fortunate in having defeated an attempted coup last month.
Two "chilling prospects" that now seem to have been avoided: assassination of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and a military dictatorship, according to National Security Adviser Roilo Golez.
The new military dictatorship, it appears, would have been intimately linked to family and associates of the lavishly corrupt ex-president, Joseph Estrada.
Meanwhile, members of the Estrada family have been formally linked to the failed coup attempt after cars used by mutinous junior officers were traced to Estrada's wife and youngest son.
Government officials say inveterate coup plotter and opposition Sen. Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan and the military cabal behind the rebellion planned, after murdering Arroyo, to reinstate Estrada temporarily.
According to the plan, Estrada, who is under arrest and the subject of a trial for appalling corruption, "would be sprung and reinstalled in Malacaņang," said Golez.
"After three days, he would be asked to step down to pave the way for the establishment of a revolutionary government headed by Sen. Honasan," Golez added.
The Philippines has had about eight military uprisings and coup attempts since the "people power" ouster of dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986.
Some 300 renegade soldiers had wired an upscale apartment and shopping complex with explosives and booby traps before their surrender.
Our expression of relief at the defeat of the coup attempt is not to suggest that existing government in the Philippines is apt or just. The mutineers complained of corruption and misconduct in the upper ranks of the military and government and complained that Muslim and communist rebels were buying weapons and ammunition from the military.
Ultimately the way to prevent future coups is to assure a contented and prosperous population. There is too much to be upset about in today's Philippines, and that makes change — any change — look dangerously inviting.
