Pictures Of Fugitive Coup Leader All Over Military Camps In Southern RP

A soldier stands in front of a photo of fugitive coup leader Capt. Nicanor Faeldon outside the Southern Command headquarters in Zamboanga City. (Zamboanga Journal)

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Zamboanga Journal / 18 Jan) Southern Philippines military commander Maj. Gen. Gabriel Habacon ordered a tightened security in all military camps and commanders posted photographs of a fugitive coup leader trying to overthrow the Arroyo government.

"We have to be very careful and alert. We don't want government destabilizers going around camps. I have ordered a tight security in all military camps and to arrest those trying to overthrow the democratic government," Maj. Gen. Gabriel Habacon told the Zamboanga Journal on Wednesday.

Photographs of escaped coup leader Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon were posted in different parts in Southern Command headquarters, the largest military installation outside Manila and also in army camps across Mindanao .

Faeldon, who was one of the leaders in the failed Oakwood mutiny in the financial district of Makati, escaped on December 14 after a postponed rebellion hearing. Days later, he sent video clips to media organizations that showed him inside the Western Command.

Habacon's order came after Faeldon last week released a set of photographs and a video clip showing he was inside the Southern Command. Just this week, Faeldon again released a new video clip taken inside inside the Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame in Manila.

Four other coup leaders, lieutenants Lawrence San Juan, Nathaniel Rabonza, Sonny Sarmiento and Patricio Bumindang also escaped late Tuesday from a military prison in Manila that triggered a massive government manhunt in the country.

The five helped lead a failed rebellion against President Gloria Arroyo in 2003.

San Juan was commander of the US-trained anti-terror Light Reaction Company who helped crush Abu Sayyaf forces in Basilan and Jolo islands in 2002, while the three were members of the Army's infantry, special forces and armor brigade.

The ring leaders accused senior military officials of corruption and Arroyo of abetting it and called on her to resign so a junta could be established. But the coup leaders and their followers eventually surrendered and jailed and later apologized, saying, their actions were sparked by an honest desire for change.

Habacon said Faeldon's photographs in military camps were to allow troops to properly identify the fugitive coup leader. "With Faeldon's photos all over the camps, soldiers can now identify him properly and take the necessary actions if they see him the next time," he said.

A local television report said a soldier saw Faeldon January 8 inside the Southern Command, but did not report the matter to his superiors thinking the man was a look-alike.

Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon earlier ordered an investigation into Faeldon's claims that he sneaked inside the Southern Command and in Western Command bases.

"He cannot hide all the time, and eventually we will arrest him. Faeldon should not let himself be used by groups with vested and destructive interests. You must not allow yourself be used by persons who are not accountable to the people," Esperon said.

The opposition also demanded for Arroyo's resignation.