DAVAO CITY – Former Bayan Muna Partylist congressman, Teddy Casiño, said rumors of a coup d’ etat are only fueled by Malacanang allies “to douse cold water on the protests” over the Mamasapano incident.
“It’s not a coup d’ etat nor an armed revolt. It’s People Power,” Casiño said on a statement Thursday.
“We are not calling for a coup d’ etat. We want the President to be held accountable for his many failures,” Casiño said.
Casiño said the demand for truth and accountability on the Mamasapano incident and the calls for the President’s resignation “are legitimate grievances.”
He bared moves of many cause-oriented groups, civil society organizations, political leaders, religious, laity and concerned individuals to meet and discuss the circumstances surrounding the Mamasapano incident and its implications.
Teachers and students protests
Teachers and academicians from major universities and schools are also calling for the resignation of President Benigno Aquino III.
In a press conference Thursday, National Artist and UP Professor Bienvenido Lumbera calls the president “a liar”.
“How can we teach our students not to lie, if the President himself is the number one liar?”Lumbera said in the press conference today of the “Save Our Nation: Aquino Resign!” Movement which is led by teachers.
The “Save Our Nation: Aquino Resign!” Movement started collecting signatures nationwide to drumbeat support for the call for President Aquino to resign. Forums and other protest actions like candle lighting ceremonies and black armed band wearing would be done in different campuses nationwide.
Bigger protests starting February 25, a month after the Mamasapano incident and the 28th anniversary of EDSA People Power I, are set to transpire to build public pressure to force President Aquino to step down.
On February 27, youth groups are also calling for a nation-wide walk-out.
Casiño said he would call on the armed forces and the police “not to prevent people from coming out in the streets.”
Loyalty check?
Meanwhile, General Gregorio Pio P Catapang Jr, chief of staff of the armed forces visited the headquarters here of the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) in Naval Station Felix Apolinario, Panacan, Wednesday to personally congratulate the soldiers and to check on the updates of the army’s activities in the region.
Col Romeo S Brawner Jr, spokesman of the Eastmincom brushed aside suspicion that the visit was about loyalty check amid coup rumors.
“This is not a loyalty check but this is part of his routine as Chief of Staff to be personally updated on the efforts on the ground. And besides, our officers and soldiers are very professional and loyal to the chain of command and the constitution.” Brawner said in a statement. (davaotoday.com)
