Manila (AsiaNews/Agencies) The Filipino military is increasingly concerned that the breakdown in the rapport between President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and some top officers might weaken the war on terror.
In some army circles the President, who has been accused of election fraud and corruption, has been openly criticised. Ms Arroyo until recently could count on the military's support but now has started to put some officers under surveillance, moving others to desk jobs, thus jeopardising the war on terror and the fight against communism.
A case in point is Brigadier-General Danilo Lim, who heads the First Scout Ranger Regiment which guards Manila's northern flank from the communist rebels. He heads the Young Officers Union, which in 1989 launched a bloody coup attempt against then-president Corazon Aquino.
Another case is that of Lieutenant-General Samuel Bagasin, who headed the 4th Infantry Division, a key unit in the military's southern command battling Muslim separatists and the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf. He was moved to a desk job.
This is happening at a time when Filipino security forces announced to have uncovered a plot by the South-East Asia-based terror group, Jemaah Islamiyah, to carry out bomb attacks in key Philippine cities. By way of response, Filipino Tourism Secretary Joseph Durano yesterday said extra troops and police have been sent to reinforce security at tourist sites across the country.
National Police Director-General Arturo Lomibao said that efforts to thwart attempts to unseat the President are distracting the military and police from their fight against terrorism. "We cannot concentrate 100 per cent on this [terrorist] problem," he said.
With civilian and military powers are at loggerheads, social groups and political forces are contributing to the growing chaos.
Riot police used force yesterday to break up a rally that was making its way towards the Malacanang presidential palace calling for the President's impeachment. Some demonstrators were wounded and at least seven people were arrested.
On Monday pro-Arroyo politicians denounced an alleged plot to kill President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, with the opposition countering that it was an attempt to divert attention from allegations of cheating and corruption. (PB)
