MANILA, Philippines, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- The Philippine defense secretary said Thursday that antigovernment forces are recruiting troops from the military to incite a possible uprising.
Defense Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the opposition forces are planning an uprising similar to or worse than last summer's Oakwood mutiny in case their candidate, Fernando Poe Jr., is disqualified by the Philippine Supreme Court from entering the presidential race.
Ermita said the antigovernment forces recruitment among the country's armed forces is part of a new destabilization scheme against the Arroyo administration, the Manila Times said.
"There is a continuing effort on the part of these people to convince those in the active service to form what we call as the military component [of their plans]," said Ermita.
The defense secretary said the group is also trying to forge a "temporary tactical alliance" with other anti-Arroyo groups "to take advantage of the opportunities that are open to them."
