Southcom: No troop movement in Mindanao

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The chief of the Armed Forces’ Southern Command (Southcom) denied yesterday any troop movement in the South, contrary to misinformation that groups of soldiers were planning to withdraw support for the Arroyo administration.

"There are no movements of forces here. All military units in Mindanao are simply continuing their current missions," said Lt. Gen. Gregorio Camiling, Southcom chief.

Southcom is the biggest military command outside of Metro Manila, with an estimated strength of 70,000 soldiers.

Reports emanating from Cagayan de Oro City where the Army’s 4th Infantry Division is based, claimed that disgruntled Army officers and soldier-supporters of deposed President Joseph Estrada have been mobilized.

Camiling dismissed as black propaganda these reports as well as allegations that he pledged his support for Estrada during the former president’s birthday last April 19.

"These are all false allegations and disinformation," he said.

Camiling directed division and unit commanders to follow the Armed Forces’ chain of command.

There were earlier reports that at least five military generals allegedly pledged support for Estrada when they attended his birthday party in Greenhills, San Juan.

Besides Camiling, these generals, the reports alleged, included Armed Forces vice chief of staff Lt. Gen. Jose Calimlim, Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Benjamin Defensor, former Navy chief Rear Admiral Guillermo Wong and Brig. Gen. Jake Malajacan. Calimlim has also denied the reports.

In Cagayan de Oro, meanwhile, Estrada supporters are awaiting the arrival of a ship which, according to rumors, will ferry them to Metro Manila to join the pro-Estrada crowd at the EDSA Shrine.

"We wish that a boat be sent here so we can join forces with Erap supporters at EDSA," said Jun de la Cruz, a leader of Estrada supporters in the city.

A small crowd of Estrada supporters gathered at the city’s plaza. This contrasted with thousands of people who gathered in Marawi City to express their support for Estrada’s arrest on plunder charges.

In Butuan City, Estrada supporters plan to hold mass actions starting tonight to protest his arrest.

Surigao del Norte Gov. Francisco Matugas, who is running for congressman under Estrada’s party, denied rumors that he was sending a contingent to EDSA. — With Lino de la Cruz and Ben Serrano