SENATOR Aquilino Pimentel III yesterday appealed to critics of the government to refrain from “fueling rumors” of a coup against President Benigno Aquino III since they are doing a great disservice to the country.

Talk of alleged restiveness in the Armed Forces ranks swirled following the decision of the President not to launch an all-out war against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front despite the killing of 19 soldiers in al-Barka, Basilan by alleged “rogue” MILF members.\

“If they want power for themselves, they should wait until the next elections in 2016, and refrain from dividing the military for their self-serving ends,” Pimentel said.

“President Aquino has done nothing wrong that would merit his removal by extra-constitutional means or a coup d’etat. I fully support his stand of all-out justice instead of all-out war against the MILF,” he said.

He added:”All-out war could mean not just loss of many lives on both sides, but the displacement of thousands of innocent civilians, including women and children, from their homes and sources of livelihood. It is totally irresponsible to call for all-out-war without considering the dire consequences.”

“In refusing to heed strident calls for all-out war, President Aquino clearly has the welfare of the people at heart,” he added.

“President Aquino deserves to finish his term because of an overwhelming mandate from the electorate in 2010. We should give him the chance as well as enough time to implement the reforms that would stop corruption and allow the government to overcome mass poverty,” Pimentel said.

He said the military is merely performing its constitutional duty as the protector of the people by carrying out surgical strikes against those who have killed government troops. “The AFP is correct in running after all armed groups and lawless elements and to restore the rule of law especially in Mindanao,” he said.