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Manila: Lawyer Homobono Adaza, a former assemblyman, and four others were charged for allegedly extorting $4 million (Dh14.68 million) from a Japanese national to fund a new coup plot against President Gloria Arroyo.
During an inquest proceeding, Adaza was charged with obstruction of justice because he was the lawyer of suspected coup plotters in 2006. His role in the alleged new plot is being investigated, explained Police chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr.
Four others - Lieutenant Colonel Oscarlito Mapalo, retired army colonels Cesar dela Pena and Ernie Amboy, and former senior police superintendent Rafael Cardeno - were charged with plot to commit a new coup d'etat, Razon said.
Serving officers
"We have reason to believe that they are plotting against the government. We have not seen active police or military personnel in the coup plot," said Razon.
On last Wednesday, the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detention Group arrested Adaza and three others after Raymond Fortun filed a complaint, saying that Adaza and companions allegedly took $4 million from a Japanese national (who was also Fortun's client), to oust Arroyo.
"I filed the complaint based on my own personal knowledge of the actions of the group. I did this to protect my client," said Fortun.
He has been identified with the opposition for being the lawyer of former President Joseph Estrada since 2000.
Adaza denied the charge. "If they are saying that I tried extorting money from them, he [Fortun] is a pathological liar. We will file a case against him. "When he [Fortun] said that I proposed a coup, he should have his [Fortun] head examined. I do not know Fortun's Japanese client. Authorities should investigate him instead," said Adaza.
Defence lawyer Arjie Guevarra said it was Fortun's client, the Japanese national, who asked for the services of the Army lieutenant, the two retired Army colonels, and a former senior police superintendent to kill someone.
"They declined because they are not hired killers," Guevarra explained.
- With inputs from Rafael Juan, Correspondent
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