BY VICTOR REYES

ARMED Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. yesterday said there is an ongoing effort to recruit officers and men for a destabilization move, and its financiers are being identified.

Esperon refused to identify the recruiters and the units being targeted but said these units are the "favorites" of those who are involved in the destabilization move.

A number of officers from the Marines and the Army’s First Scout Ranger Regiment figured in the supposed power grab attempt in February 2006 and the November 29 standoff at the Manila Peninsula Hotel.

Last Tuesday, military and police elements arrested five persons – Sgt. Orlando Valencia and Corporals Redante Maranan, Walter Francisco, Ramon Perania, and Kim Agas, allegedly in connection with the destabilization plot.

The military has said Maranan was an active Scout Ranger while Valencia, Francisco and Perania were discharged Rangers. Agas, the military said, was from the Marines.

Yesterday, Agas’ wife Josephine said her husband was never a soldier. Lawyer Trixie Angeles said her client wrongfully introduced himself as a Marine when they were apprehended, thinking he would be given preference. This explains why he was identified in the PNP complaint sheet as a former soldier, she said.

Valencia was released from detention Thursday after the justice department cleared him and Perania of the charge of illegal possession of firearms filed by the police. Three firearms, which Angeles said were planted, were seized from the five arrested. Perania was released yesterday.

The five were arrested by combined operatives from the PNP-CIDG, Quezon City Police District, and the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces Tuesday in their alleged safehouse on Ramirez street in Galas, Quezon City.

Two M16 rifles and an AK47 rifle were found in their possession, according to the arresting team. Also seized were an L300 van and a Honda Civic car which they allegedly used in transporting weapons.

Esperon described the arrest of the five as a "major accomplishment," saying it disrupted the "delivery of firearms" and resulted in the discovery of a cell involved in the plot.

On the financiers, Esperon said "jobless people (the five arrested)" would not really have some sources to pay for P15,000 rent (for the safehouse) every month."

He confirmed Angeles’ statement that another officer, Cpl. Jaime Dumagpi, has also been arrested in connection with the supposed destabilization plot.

"He is in our custody, we are asking some questions," he said.

On whether Dumagpi is a suspect or a witness, he said: "Well, both ways. It can work both ways."

‘KEEP ON DREAMING’

Asked if the threat of destabilization is serious, he said: "It’s a concern to me. I cannot simply let it (destabilization plot) go …We want to nip things in the bud."

Esperon said he doubts the plot would succeed. "So I can only say that they can only keep on dreaming."

Asked if the new plot involves Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, Esperon said: "We cannot be very categorical about it but these people who are involved (those arrested) used to be with the Scout Rangers, they were discharged."

Lim, former Scout Ranger commander, is facing court martial with 27 other Army and Marines officers for the supposed February 2006 plot.

Among his co-accused is Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda, former Marines commandant.

"What we are now following up are possible links which we could not discuss for the moment but let me not be understood to be crying wolf for indeed there is already evidence that firearms are being transported," Esperon said.

NOT A SOLDIER

Josephine Agas said she was surprised when her husband, who she said is a civilian working as a driver, was linked to the alleged destabilization plot.

She told reporters after visiting her husband at his detention cell at the Isafp that Kim was working as a driver for a lawyer she identified only as "Arcenas." He got the job last October.

Of the four others arrested, she said her husband knew only Valencia who she also said was hired by Arcenas as bodyguard last Monday.

She said her husband was in Galas that Tuesday because Valencia asked that they drop by the house on Ramirez street before fetching the child of their boss at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.

She said Agas, who was driving the seized Honda Civic car, was framed as he had no gun.

She asked why Valencia and Perania were released but her husband was not.

OTHER CHARGES

Angeles presented the release order of Perania to Esperon who said: "It’s a legal process which we cannot dispute... But we must not forget that other charges can be filed other than possession of firearms."

"What was resolved is that at least two of them were not … actually holding a firearm so they let go of them," he added.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the reported destabilization plots are "not that alarming" but are not taken lightly.

"Wala iyung destabilization. Siyempre, you know we are always on our toes as far as effort by any group because the security forces and intelligence establishment are always looking at all these," Ermita said.

Teodoro said President Arroyo could proceed with her January 22 to 28 visit to Zurich and Davos in Switzerland and in Dubai without any worry.

Teodoro and Ermita also dismissed the statement of Jose Ma. Sison, founding chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines, that Arroyo would not be able to complete her term.

Ermita said it is expected from someone who is "not necessarily friendly to the government" while Teodoro said it is a mere political statement.

He belied allegations government was spreading destabilization rumors, saying it is a counterproductive move that will result in bigger problems.

Teodoro said there was no need for a loyalty check as he said he has full trust in the military. – With Jocelyn Montemayor