Article

2003-08-04 Southeast Asia

Philippines to prosecute senator over leading failed coup

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Posted by Fred Pruitt 2003-08-04 13:53|| || Front Page|| [2 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Honasan was a participant in the 1986 coup attempt that was rescued by "People Power" and ultimately succeeded in overthrowing Marcos. He then was allied with the then Minister of Defense Juan Ponce Enrile. Again allegedly in alliance with Enrile, he participated in one or two attempts to overthrow President Aquino; it was widely assumed that Enrile was behind these as well, but he was never indicted, unlike Honasan.

Enrile was part of the alliance that backed Estrada, and Honasan, a senator by that time, was also an Estrada backer. So it is widely assumed that this coup was backed by a cabal of the usual suspects.

Holding the financial district is typical; the same happened in 1989. It is the most high-profile symbol of power and the center of the "civil society" power base of the opposition to this group of ambitious politicians. It also is a perfect target to cause economic jitters. I can't think of a more sensitive piece of real estate that could be held hostage in Manila. An Army base could be a target but the government would be more free to use weapons in such a situation, as was the case with an earlier coup attempt. The bases are out of sight and out of mind.

The Scout Rangers are considered the elite of the Army, and Honasan et al were always associated with it. Note the lack of enlisted men - if this had been a popular revolt even in the Army they would have been able to bring whole units over, but apparently not.

Posted by buwaya 2003-8-4 2:38:55 PM|| 2003-8-4 2:38:55 PM|| Front Page Top

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