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Tuesday, October 18, 2005
No cause for alarm, says top military officer
By Edwin G. Espejo
COLONEL Alfredo Cayton Jr., commanding officer of the Philippine Army's 601st Brigade, last week dispelled any rumors of an impending military coup following the surprise troop movement here last week.
Cayton said the arrival and departure of several Philippine Army contingents in the city were just part of the routine re-deployment of government soldiers.
Residents here were alarmed over the arrival of fully armed military personnel Friday evening.
The military officer, however, said the troops belonged to the Scout Ranger Battalion that came from Awang in Maguindanao.
The contingent was deployed to Sulu upon orders of the Armed Forces of the Philippine (AFP) chief, Cayton explained.
The unusual presence of fully armed military personnel was aggravated by the arrival of troops from the 75th Infantry Battalion who were pulled out from Jolo and re-deployed to President Quirino in Sultan Kudarat.
The soldiers arrived on board a Philippine Navy vessel.
The same vessel also left the same night ferrying soldiers from the Scout Ranger company.
"Nothing unusual. It is part of our routine assignments and re-assignments," Cayton explained.
Cayton, however, admitted that soldiers under his command were given orders to secure vital installations and highways in General Santos and Sarangani following the capture of a huge New People's Army camp in Barangay Kinam two weeks ago.
"We are anticipating any attack from the NPAs because they have stepped up their tactical offensives lately," Cayton told Sun.Star.
At the same time, Cayton also dispelled rumors the military is planning to stage a coup d' etat against the present administration.
Cayton said soldiers under his command have remained loyal to the duly constituted government.
(October 17, 2005 issue)
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