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Saturday, February 25, 2006
Mindanao military remains loyal to gov't: generals
By Al Jacinto
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Military commanders in the southern Philippines on Friday renewed their support to President Gloria Arroyo and vowed to crush attempts to overthrow the government.
"We remain loyal and united to the Constitution and strictly follow the chain of command and will continue to defend democracy," said Major General Gabriel Habacon, chief of the Southern Command, the largest military installation outside Manila.
Habacon held emergency meetings with senior military commanders in Zamboanga City and ordered troops to stay neutral and non-partisan. "Our soldiers are loyal and they strictly adhere to the chain of command. They are loyal to the flag, to the Constitution," he said.
In Jolo island, Brigadier General Alexander Aleo, commander of military forces in the Sulu archipelago, said troops are also behind the Arroyo government and will continue to support her presidency. "We remain loyal to the commander in chief and will follow the chain of command," he said.
Military forces in Mindanao remain in red alert after security officials said they quashed a possible coup after one of four escaped mutiny leaders, Army 1st Lieutenant Lawrence San Juan, was arrested in Batangas province this week.
Former President Joseph Estrada on Friday rejected attempts by police forces to take him out of a hospital in San Juan where he is to undergo eye surgery and bring him back to his detention in Tanay, Rizal following reports of an impending coup during the anniversary celebration of the 1986 revolution that toppled the Marcos government 20 years ago.
Estrada, who is facing plunder charges, was allowed by the court to stay of out of detention. The former president said police forces went to the hospital around 3 a.m. and tried, but failed to take him back.
Thousands of Estrada supporters rushed to San Juan and barricaded the hospital to protect the former actor.
"I will not go back; there will be bloodshed if they take me by force. I reiterate the call of former President Cory Aquino for President Gloria Arroyo to make the supreme sacrifice for the country and for the people to seek the truth," Estrada said in illegal television and radio interviews in Manila.
Aquino has previously demanded Arroyo's resignation. Estrada is banned by the government from giving media interviews.
Soldiers in military camps in Manila were spotted wearing blue ribbons, a pro-government counter-insignia. The military is in red alert and that the leader of the Army Scout Ranger, Brigadier General Danilo Lim, and Marine Colonel Ariel Querubin, both suspected of having links with anti-Arroyo supporters, have been restricted to camps, other reports said.
Troops also sealed off the Presidential Palace in Manila and blockaded roads leading there with huge concrete and steel barriers. Tanks were also spotted in the Palace grounds and inside the military headquarters. (Sun.Star Zamboanga/Sunnex)
(February 25, 2006 issue)
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