Lacson: Those Behind ‘Destabilization’ Using 18 Maleta Boys Cannot Undermine Professionalism in AFP, PNP

Whoever may be behind a possible destabilization attempt involving the 18 “Maleta Boys” cannot undermine the professionalism in the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Sunday.

Lacson said the uniformed services have effectively disowned and distanced themselves from the 18 ex-soldiers who claimed to have delivered cash in suitcases to certain personalities linked to the flood control scandal.

“I don’t think the AFP and uniformed services have any sympathy for the 18 Maleta Boys. They’ve been disowned by the Philippine Marines and by the AFP. So if those behind them assume that their antics would trigger something bigger and cause destabilization, I think they are wrong,” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio.

“Those behind the destabilization attempts should know better than to use the 18 ex-Marines as a rallying point for our Armed Forces. They should know the members of the AFP and PNP better than how they assume they will act. Whoever is behind the destabilization moves should know them better than that,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Mga Nasa Likod ng ‘Destabilization’ Gamit ang 18 ‘Maleta Boys,’ Hindi Kayang Pahinain ang Propesyonalismo ng AFP at PNP

Lacson said any possible threat involving the 18 “Maleta Boys” may have been preempted after acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian ordered heightened security at the Senate, and authorized employees to work from home.

Still, he stressed the Senate continues to validate up to now the intelligence information received about such threats. “We are in the process of assessing and validating it with the help of intelligence units (of our) uniformed services,” Lacson said.

Lacson questioned the entry of the 18 to the Senate last June 8, where instead of attending a Blue Ribbon Committee meeting that day, went to the office of Sen. Robinhood Padilla to hold a press conference while the Blue Ribbon meeting was ongoing.

He said the backers of the 18 even tried to harass Senate Sergeant-at-Arms (Ret) P/Maj. Gen. Alfredo Corpuz just so the 18 could enter the Senate.

Lacson said it is not far-fetched that the 18 may be used to start a commotion inside the Senate, making it a “staging area” and a rallying point for the AFP and PNP.

“They had no intention to attend the hearing chaired by Sen. Erwin Tulfo but why were they there and why did they insist on entering? They even harassed our Sergeant-at-Arms Gen. Corpuz, and insisted on entering – for what? To hold a presscon? The way I assess it, they have a plan,” he said.

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Lacson: Mga Nasa Likod ng ‘Destabilization’ Gamit ang 18 ‘Maleta Boys,’ Hindi Kayang Pahinain ang Propesyonalismo ng AFP at PNP

Sinuman ang nasa likod ng posibleng tangkang destabilisasyon na kinasasangkutan ng 18 “Maleta Boys,” hindi nila kayang pahinain ang propesyonalismo ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at Philippine National Police (PNP), ani Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson nitong Linggo.

Giit ni Lacson na malinaw nang itinakwil at inilayo ng mga uniformed service ang kanilang sarili sa 18 dating sundalo na nagsabing naghatid sila ng mga maletang puno ng pera sa ilang personalidad na iniuugnay sa iskandalo sa flood control.

“The AFP and uniformed services natin, wala silang simpatiya sa 18 Maleta Boys. Dini-disown ng Philippine Marines, dini-disown ng AFP. Labindalawa sa kanila ay dishonorably discharged. Ayaw nilang ma-associate sa 18. So kung nag-a-assume sila na magti-trigger ito ng something bigger, magkakagulo ang buong bansa, magde-destabilize, sa tingin ko lang, mukhang nagkakamali sila,” aniya sa panayam sa DZBB radio.

“Huwag nila gamitin ang 18 ex-Marines as a rallying point para mapagalaw ang ating Armed Forces. They should know the members of AFP and the PNP better than how they assume na yung kikilos o hindi. They should know them better than that, kung sino man ang nasa likod nito,” dagdag niya.

Ayon kay Lacson, maaaring naagapan na ang anumang posibleng banta na may kaugnayan sa 18 “Maleta Boys” matapos magpatupad si acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian ng mas mahigpit na seguridad sa Senado at payagan ang mga empleyado na magtrabaho mula sa kanilang mga tahanan.

Gayunman, binigyang-diin niya na patuloy pa ring bina-validate ng Senado ang impormasyong pang-intelligence na natanggap kaugnay ng naturang mga banta.

“We are in the process of assessing and validating it with the help of intelligence units (of our) uniformed services,” ani Lacson.

Kinuwestiyon din ni Lacson ang pagpasok ng 18 sa Senado noong Hunyo 8. Sa halip na dumalo sa meeting ng Senate Blue Ribbon Committee noong araw na iyon, nagtungo sila sa tanggapan ni Sen. Robinhood Padilla upang magsagawa ng press conference habang nagpapatuloy ang pagdinig ng komite.

Aniya, sinubukan pa umano ng mga sumusuporta sa 18 na gipitin at harasin si Senate Sergeant-at-Arms (Ret.) P/Maj. Gen. Alfredo Corpuz upang makapasok lamang ang grupo sa Senado.

Sinabi ni Lacson na hindi malayong isipin na maaaring ginagamit ang 18 upang magsimula ng kaguluhan sa loob ng Senado at gawing isang “staging area” at rallying point para sa AFP at PNP.

“Wala naman silang plan mag-attend sa hearing ni Sen. Erwin Tulfo, pero bakit nandoon silang 18 at pinilit nilang ipasok in spite of the pagbabawal ng Sergeant-at-Arms Gen. Corpuz? Hinarass-harass nila ang Sergeant-at-Arms, pinilit nilang ipasok ang 18, para saan ‘yan? Para mag-presscon? The way I assess it, personal assessment ko ito using my own experience and training, may plan ‘yan,” aniya.

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