MANILA, Philippines -- President Benigno Aquino III bared on Thursday what he called a plot to oust him for being the biggest stumbling block to the return of “the old system” of graft and corruption, but the military unit tasked to protect him said it had no idea of any such attempt.
“There are some who want to bring back the old system where they amassed huge amounts of money, because they know that we will not agree to that, they want me removed from the picture so that no one will prosecute them anymore,” Aquino said at the 26th anniversary of the Presidential Security Group.
But PSG commander Colonel Ramon Mateo Dizon said they have not monitored any planned coup or other threats to the life of Aquino.
“It is business as usual for us. But as far as a possible coup is concerned, that is negative. The Armed Forces of the Philippines is solid behind the President,” Dizon said.
Aquino did not say what the nature of the threat against him was, nor did he identify who were behind the alleged plot.