The Philippine military on Friday dismissed reports that the Young Officers Union (YOU), which launched a coup against former President Aquino in 1989 but was deactivated in 1995, has regrouped to overthrow President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) "has not monitored any activation of YOU among its ranks. Former members of YOU continue to abide by the chain of command and the constitution," military spokesman Buenaventura Pascual said.

He added that the AFP "will not in any manner join any extra- constitutional means to overthrow the present administration."

Pascual also criticized certain media for using the so-called YOU statement without verifying it with the military.

Local newspaper reports on Thursday said the YOU was breaking a 10-year-old peace agreement with the government to bring down President Arroyo and "save the country."

The open letter to the media, attributed to YOU, said the group was making a "final stand to save the country from further ruin and continue the unfinished revolution of our forefathers."

The statement also claimed that the military was behind the wiretapped conversations between Arroyo and a poll commissioner last year.

The YOU signed a peace agreement with the Ramos government in 1995, which gave amnesty to some 4,000 members, allowed them to return to their military posts.

YOU groups the core officers during the 1989 coup attempt, led by then Colonel Gregorio Honasan.

Source: Xinhua