Faeldon actively engaged in recruiting for destab attempts – NCRCOM chief

By Ronron
January 21, 2008

Fugitive Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon is actively involved in recruitment efforts to destabilize the Arroyo government even if he is in hiding, a military commander said Monday.

According to Maj. Gen. Fernando Mesa, chief of the Armed Forces National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM), they have received reports that Faeldon called up some persons last week, inviting them to join destabilization efforts against the government.

“The report I got is that he called up some people, recruiting them for their movement… about the recruitment that they are doing,” Mesa told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo.

Mesa said it is the people themselves who received the call from Faeldon who reported to authorities.

“There were a few who reported,” he said.

Mesa would not say, however, who are these people that Faeldon called up, saying their follow-up operations to get the Magdalo key leader might get jeopardized.

Asked if the recruitment is particularly intended for the mobilization in today’s mass actions of peasant groups, he said: “There was no specific mention to that or any other effect. It was more of a general destabilization attempt.”

Faeldon had been missing since the November 29 takeover by the Magdalo Group of the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City.

According to initial police report, a journalist facilitated his escape from the posh hotel. It can be recalled that Faeldon earlier gave his military escorts a slip in December 2005 after attending a court hearing in Makati City. He was rearrested in January of the following year.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. said in a news conference yesterday at Camp Crame that he will disclose the identity of the journalist in due time.

“We ask for your understanding and indulgence because we need to hide the identity of the journalist to give us an edge in our operation,” Razon said.

He said that once their follow up operations is successful, he will “immediately” reveal the journalist’s identity.

“I owe that to you (to name the said journalist),” Razon said.

He said should police decide to sue the journalist, the case would be obstruction of justice and aiding/abetting an escape felon.

Razon had earlier said that the journalist was caught on camera allowing Faeldon escape the hotel last November 29 before authorities assaulted it. A witness also allegedly testified to police to said effect.

The government has put up a P1-million peso reward for Faeldon’s arrest. He is facing various charges before civilian and military courts for his alleged participation in the Oakwood Mutiny in July 2003 and the Manila Peninsula takeover last year./DMS