Philippine military officials reaffirm loyalty to gov't

Top Philippine military officials Sunday reaffirmed their full support to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo amid efforts by various sectors, including the group of

former army chief Fortunato Abat, to destabilize government.

Army chief Generoso Senga told local and international media based in Manila that he issued a radio message to area commanders on Saturday to remind them of the military's sworn duty of protecting the people and the state.

"I reminded them about our constitutional mandate to protect the people and the state, to follow the chain of command and to respect the duly-constituted authority," Senga said, referring to the field commanders. He said the commanders responded positively to his reminder. "There was a positive response from the commanders. We are loyal to government, we are in full support of the government."

"This is just a reminder because some sectors are asking us to join them, including the group of general Abat," he said.

Abat, who served as defense secretary under former President Fidel Ramos, has openly broached the idea of setting up a civilian-military junta to replace the Arroyo government and Congress because "crisis in leadership" was hampering the fight against poverty and injustice.

Ramos has condemned the act of Abat, saying such movement is doomed to fail.

In an impromptu press conference held on Saturday, Ramos also said Abat is a hangover of the toppled regime of former President Ferdinand Marcos, who declared martial law in 1973.

For his part, Senga said that statements by Abat "should not only be ignored but (we must) also ensure that any effort (to destabilize government) will not succeed." "We are in full support of President Arroyo. As far as the Army is concerned, we are united and focused on our mission," Senga said.

Senga said the Army will not support any move to topple the government. During numerous failed coups in the 1980s and the short-lived Oakwood mutiny in July 2003, many if not the majority of the participants of coup attempts are from the Philippine Army.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Efren Abu's information officer, Lt. Col. Buenaventura Pascual said the military is united behind the Arroyo government.

For his part, Navy flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Ernestode Leon said the military, particularly the Philippine Navy, "remains solidly behind the national leadership especially during this crucial times."