Enrile Denies He Is Plotting Coup Against Aquino
Former Philippine Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile, fired last November by President Corazon Aquino, denied Sunday that he is plotting a coup.
But during a U.S. television interview from Manila, he also said there was some restiveness in the Philippine military over Aquino’s policy of dealing with the country’s Communist insurgents.
Enrile was asked on the ABC television program “This Week With David Brinkley” about rumors in the Philippines of a possible coup and if he was plotting to overthrow the government.
“Of course not,” he replied.
He said the military could have seized control during the revolution last February when President Ferdinand E. Marcos was ousted, but instead handed power to Aquino.
“Why should I now go out of my way to undermine the very government that is now in place?” he asked.
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