Military dismisses nexus between army rebels and leftists

Manila: Philippines's Armed Forces on Monday dismissed reported plans by left-wing rebels and disgruntled soldiers to form an alliance to topple the government of President Gloria Arroyo.

"I don't think they [communists] will find allies in the Armed Forces," said Lieutenant General Samuel Bagasin.

The Deputy Chief of Staff was referring to a recent statement by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), that it was ready to form alliances with disgruntled soldiers in an effort to hasten the downfall of Arroyo's government.

Bagasin said: "Forging alliances with other anti-government groups is not new with the communist terrorists. This has been their strategy ever since."

The CPP in its anniversary statement, called on the "anti-Arroyo group of progressive officers, mainly junior officers, who wish to develop a patriotic and progressive position and who desire basic democratic reforms," to join them.

The said adding it is open to the formation of a revolutionary governing council. National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales dismissed the CPP threat as "propaganda".

"For the NPA [New People's Army] to think that our soldiers will join them, they are dreaming," Gonzales said.

Meanwhile, the escaped ringleader of a failed 2003 military mutiny urged the public yesterday to wage a civil disobedience campaign to force President Arroyo out of office.

Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon, who escaped early this month after appearing in court, said in a statement it was time for the public "to reassert our rights".

"Pilipino believes Arroyo will stay on unless we oust her thru civil disobedience," Faeldon said, using the name of a website pilipino.org.ph which he operates despite being a fugitive. He urged the public to "reclaim our pride and dignity".

Faeldon was among the junior officers who led a brief failed mutiny in 2003, when some 300 soldiers took over the Oakwood high-end apartment hotel in the Makati financial district in Manila.