OFFICERS accused in the February 2006 alleged power grab attempt are mocking AFP chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. for hinting he wants his tour of duty extended by President Arroyo.

Esperon has been publicly making a pitch for an extension of his term, saying he would be "honored" if President Arroyo decides he should stay in service after he reaches the retirement age of 56 on February 9. Last week, he said he was willing to continue leading the fight against insurgents, as he said the biggest challenge facing the military this year is "sustaining the momentum" in the counter-insurgency campaign.

"This wimp of an officer pretending to be the chief of staff suddenly found the courage, without that tear-laden eyelash, to say that he is willing to lead the Armed Forces of the Philippines in sustaining the momentum in the fight against the CPP/NPA," the 28 detained officers, led by Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda, former Marines commandant, and Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, former Scout Ranger commandant, said in a statement distributed to media over the weekend.

The officers were referring to an incident in December 2002 when Esperon, then commander of the Presidential Security Group, was seen teary-eyed after President Arroyo announced she was not running in the 2004 presidential elections.

The accused officers said Esperon was giving Arroyo a "very flimsy and self-serving reason" for extending his stay. They also said Esperon, who was among three generals implicated in the alleged cheating by the Arroyo camp in the 2004 elections, was occupying an "undeserved position."

The officers said Esperon’s pronouncements were tantamount to belittling the capability of officers qualified to succeed him.

All three-star generals are candidates for Esperon’s post. Talks are that Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano is the frontrunner.

"Having projected yourself as the only one capable of sustaining the fight against the insurgents, you have just rendered a failing grade in the Officer’s Evaluating Rating of all general-officers waiting in line to replace you. And nary a whimper did you hear from them," they said.

"Of course, you massaged their egos by stating as an afterthought that there are other capable officers just like you. Just continue inflicting your insults, Mr. Esperon. These generals will not complain anyway," they also said.

Apparently taking a dig at the contenders for AFP chief, the officers also said: "They are good and professional soldiers as they say. Good and professional soldiers see no cheating, hear no lying and speak not of stealing. Good and professional soldiers would rather enjoy the comfort and perks of their positions than stand on merit and principles."

The officers said it was "rather amusing" that none of the contenders thought of resigning, which they said was the "most honorable thing" to do, after Esperon implied they were not capable of leading and sustaining the fight against the insurgents.

"This pathetic way of wimp mentality is becoming contagious. We do not want to second guess its effect on the rank and file but surely it affords reason for mass demoralization," the officers said.

"We have been accused of attempting to begin a mutiny but we also accuse you, Mrs. Arroyo and Mister Esperon, of not only attempting to begin to demoralize the AFP but have already demoralized the AFP," they said.

The group of Miranda and Lim are facing trial by court martial in Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal.

The two supposedly planned to lead their men to a march at the Edsa Shrine on Feb. 24, 2006 and announce a withdrawal of support from Arroyo.

The officers are detained in Camp Capinpin, except for Lim who was transferred to the PNP custodial center in Camp Crame after the November 29 standoff at the Manila Peninsula hotel in Makati, and Capt. Dante Langkit who is being held at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.