Saturday, March 04, 2006
C. Mindanao troops all accounted for: Army chief
By Aquiles Zonio
TOP military officials in the region declined to join a group of soldiers who earlier tried but was prevented from joining the protests rally last week to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Edsa People Power.
Instead, they expressed their continued support and loyalty to the Constitution and the Armed Forces of Philippines (AFP) chain of command.
Brigadier General Alfredo Cayton, commanding officer of the Philippine Army's 601st Infantry Brigade based in Malandag, Malungon, Sarangani Province, said his men were intact and remained supportive of the present administration during the tense moments last week.
"My troops remain loyal to the President and the AFP chain of command. All my men are intact. We assure the President and the AFP hierarchy of our unwavering support," said Cayton.
The brigade's area of responsibility covers the provinces of Davao Del Sur, Sarangani, and South Cotabato, as well as the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, and Digos.
Cayton clarified there was no unusual movement among his junior officers, saying, "All my men are properly accounted for especially the junior officers. The confusion is just confined in Metro Manila area."
Colonel Jerry Jalandoni, commanding officer of the 604th Infantry Brigade based in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat, confirmed his men remained loyal to the chain of command.
He said his junior officers are doing their usual tasks unmindful of what is happening in Manila.
Jalandoni's command covers the provinces of Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat.
Despite assurance from his field commanders, Major General Agustin Dema-ala, commanding officer of the Army's 6th Infantry Division, personally conducted inspection in various military camps in the region.
Dema-ala, the highest military official in Central Mindanao, was on his way to visit various military camps when he was interviewed Friday morning.
He assured the public the entire command under the 6th ID remained loyal to the Constitution and the AFP chain of command.
"My troops remain loyal to the Constitution and the duly-constituted authority. We continue to follow the AFP chain of command and the incident in Manila was just an isolated one," Dema-ala said.
Secretary Jesus Dureza, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, told reporters there had been no "abnormal" troop movements in any base of the AFP in the island and that the operations of all AFP units have been normal.
He specifically played down speculations that some military officers based at the AFP Southern Command in Zamboanga City have started to become restive.
"Up to now, there is now such perceptive activity (here in Mindanao). Our military officers and personnel here assured that they would not be involved in such kind of activity," said Dureza.
For Bisaya stories from General Santos.Click here. (This section is updated every Monday)
(February 27, 2006 issue)
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