Coup in Philippines? Army says "no"... wait and see

If the upcoming election in the Philippines goes sour, don't expect the military to ride to the rescue.

A top military officer has denied reports that the military would set up a junta in case of a failure of elections on May 10.

Major General Juancho Sabban, head of the Philippine Marines, said he was against a military junta. "No more military junta," Sabban said. "Ayaw namin doon (We don't want it)."

Sabban said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) would work to ensure the success of the May 10 polls.

"I assure everybody and our peoples that nothing will happen, and we will be there to see to it that everything is legal," he added.

Armed forces chief Gen. Delfin Bangit, meanwhile, blamed the media for sowing intrigue between him and Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jesus Verzosa, who recently said he would not support any effort to install Mrs. Arroyo as holdover president in case of a failure of elections amid rumors that the well-placed Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1978 would support such a venture.

By: Brant