The two central figures

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor ERIC T. LORETIZO Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

What exactly did the military officers discover that made them - and Malacañang conclude that there was a coup d'etat attempt against the government?

The media has reported the alleged discovery of information, even names and plans of people with coup attempts on their minds. The sources largely referred to were military men themselves, allegedly caught with evidence and who were reported to have confessed or admitted knowledge or even participation at the outset, but had changes of mind, or were, in military parlance, "neutralized". On TV, the people saw shadowy figures and ghostly voices narrating the so-called schemes and plots and the leaders, among them military people themselves.

One of the biggest hauls was that of the 14 who were reportedly arrested, but were released, supposedly after singing, and before the start of the EDSA anniversary celebration.

Why did we not hear of cachés of guns, piles of ammunition, even grenades and bombs being discovered? What were the plotters going to use in staging their coup? Were these kept from the public? One could only admire the zeal of the police and the military in ferreting out their own members, retired or still in service, who were believed responsible for the coup plots against this government. In so short a time, they were able, not only to identify them, but also catch them and extract the needed information from them.

Why couldn't they have exercised the same skill and sleuthing capability in locating the man called Virgilio Garcillano when he was needed by the whole country? Why couldn't the influence and the forces of the government not succeed in bringing back Jocjoc Bolante so he can face everybody and declare that there was no hanky-panky in the distribution of the fertilizer money?

Had they done that with those two central figures who have brought so much trouble to this administration, we would never have gotten into the fix that we are in today.*