Breakaway Magdalo officers warn the Armed Forces of leftist perils

Several officers of the Philippine Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) who were part of the Oakwook mutiny in 2003, urged fellow soldiers to be vigilant against the Leftist groups. In a statement, they said they had “witnessed an event they fear would spell disaster for the country." Leftist organizations have expressed support to the mutineers or the Magdalo group by appearing at the court hearing on Wednesday of the mutineers' cases. Several leftist groups allegedly showed support for rebel soldiers by wearing arm bands with the insignia of the Magdalo group. The statement was signed by detainees Capt. Gerardo Gambala, Capt. Milo Maestrecampo, Capt. Albert Baloloy, Capt. Alvin Ebreo, Capt. Laurence Louis Somera' 1st Lt. Jose Enrico Dingle, 1st Lt. Jeffrey Cauguiran, 1st Lt. ReyBolo, 1st Lt. Warren Dagupon, 1st Lt. Florentino Somera, 1st Lt. Cleo Donga-as, 2nd Lt. Bryan Yasay, 2nd Lt. Wary James Tayaban and 2nd Lt. Reginmo Orteza. The breakaway group, who are still in detention, noticed that leftist groups are taking advantage of the situation to destroy the AFP. “Contrary to our former companions’ call for drastic actions against the government, we say we remain steadfast even as we realize that military intervention is not the way to effect change," the statement said. The officers were referring to the four junior officers of the Magdalo group who escaped from their detention cells in Fort Bonifacio last January. One of the escapees, Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon, was re-arrested recently in Malabon City with Capt. Candelaria Rivas by members of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces. Rivas was a member of the military prosecution panel investigating the Oakwook incident. “We ask our fellow soldiers to be vigilant against individuals or groups who advertise themselves as saviors of our nation, when in truth may have already bargained our future to our enemies--the communists," the statement said. -GMANEWS.TV