P2-B war chest for EDSA 3 defections?

Jailed former President Joseph Estrada has allegedly set aside a P2-billion "war chest" for the recruitment of police and military men to back his loyalists staging a drawn-out rally at the EDSA Shrine.

Police sources claim groups identified with the Estrada camp are trying to set up a 500-man "mercenary" force, consisting mainly of members of the Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabansa (RAM).

The war chest will supposedly allow the Estrada camp to "buy" the support of officers and enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police, the sources said.

"They are trying to mislead the masses that their cause is true. What is lacking in the so-called EDSA III is the support of the military," the sources said.

The sources said the group will supposedly make it appear that the military has been divided by the pro-Estrada rally at the EDSA Shrine.

The sources claimed at least five military generals allegedly pledged support to Estrada during his birthday party on April 19 at his home on No.1 Polk st. in North Greenhills, San Juan.

The sources identified the generals as Armed Forces vice chief of staff Jose Calimlim, Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Benjamin Defensor, AFP Southern Command chief Lt. Gen. Gregorio Camiling, former Navy chief Rear Admiral Guillermo Wong and Brig. Gen. Jake Malajacan.