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Friday, December 16, 2005
Mindanao military reiterates support for Arroyo
By Al Jacinto
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Soldiers deployed in Mindanao have manifested their support for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and officials said the military remains united and loyal to the chain of command.
Officials said tens of thousands of troops stationed in the strife-torn region have reiterated their strong support to Arroyo's leadership and vowed to fight any attempt to topple her four-year-old government.
"As far as the Southern Command is concerned, our troops remain unquestionably loyal to the Constitution and the legitimate government of President Gloria Arroyo. We are intact and solid," said Major Gamal Hayudini, a spokesman for the military forces in the southern Philippines.
He said the military will fight any attempt to destabilize the government.
"There is no room for (destabilizers) in this democratic government and we will always uphold the rule of law and strictly adhere to and follow the chain of command of the Armed Forces," he said.
Hayudini's statement came about after police arrested former military general Fortunato Abat in Manila on allegations that he was inciting the public to rise against Arroyo.
Abat has declared himself president of a revolutionary transition government after calling Arroyo a bogus leader.
Arroyo, a US-trained economist, was catapulted to power in January 2001 after disgraced former actor Joseph Estrada's government was toppled by a bloodless military-backed uprising in Manila.
She ran for election last year and won against popular movie actor Fernando Poe, but the opposition accused her of cheating, which she has strongly denied.
Police said Abat can be charged with sedition, but his lawyers claimed the arrest was illegal. They said that Abat was arrested without any warrant.
Military officials have previously warned troops to stay out of politics and not to allow themselves to be used by any group to destabilize the government.
Arroyo was in Zamboanga City last Saturday and met with senior security officials and top government leaders after attending the 75th birthday of an influential Catholic Archbishop, Carmelo Morelos.
Despite allegations by the opposition of poll cheating, Arroyo is still very popular in the southern Philippines and has a huge number of loyal supporters. (Sun.Star Zamboanga/Sunnex)
(December 16, 2005 issue)
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