Palace investigating bodies should proceed with looking into an alleged plan by retired military officers to seize power even as the Marcos administration downplayed the threat as long-standing, a Palace official said Monday.
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro acknowledged the credibility of the report, which came from Senator Panfilo Lacson, saying the senator’s track record warranted a formal inquiry.
“Unang-una po, kung ito ay mapapatunayan dahil si Senator Lacson naman ay hindi natin matatawaran kapag nagsalita ito, ito ay may resibo. So muli, ang mga investigating bodies natin, hindi na po kayo kailangang utusan, gawin na po ninyong mag-imbestiga,” Castro said.
Lacson had earlier raised alarm over a reported scheme by some retired officers to exploit current political tensions and “grab power.” Castro was responding to questions about the Palace’s position on the senator’s disclosure during a briefing on April 27.
While calling for an investigation, Castro was careful to frame the threat as anything but surprising.
“Matagal na pong balita iyan, matagal na nilang gustong magsagawa ng destabilization laban sa ating Pangulo. Hindi na po iyan bago,” she said.
Castro’s remarks signal that the Palace views Lacson’s information seriously enough to warrant action by state investigative bodies — without waiting to be formally directed to act.
