A stern warning against any unauthorized troop movements in Western Visayas, was issued yesterday by Region 6 police director Doroteo Reyes.

The warning followed the arrest of a fugitive military junior officer who has called for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

If there really are elements that would stand against the government, the entire government is ready, particularly in Region 6, Reyes said.

In fact, he said he told his men that any movement (of troops) without his authority, will be challenged and arrests will be made, in coordination with the Armed Forces.

We don't joke about this anymore, Reyes stressed.

ILt. Lawrence San Juan, one of the four junior officers who escaped last month while on trial for the failed July 2003 mutiny and was re-arrested yesterday in Batangas, claimed in a radio interview that his group was in talks with 10 active-duty generals. He, however, gave no details.

The recapture of San Juan also came two weeks after Capt. Nicanor Faeldon, one of the six Magdalo core leaders, was also re-arrested in Metro Manila.

Maj. Lyndon Sollesta, Army regional spokesman, yesterday said any troop movement in Western and Central Visayas should also have a clearance from Maj. Gen. Alphonsus Crucero, commanding general of the Army 3rd Infantry Division.

Sollesta added they have not monitor any recruitment of soldiers by those who destabilized the government and try to undermine the military chain of command.

"Our guidance from the GHQ (General Headquarters) is to focus internal security operations," Sollesta said.

The militant Partido ng Manggagawa, in a statement, said the government can imprison San Juan, but not the ideals he is fighting for.

Shortly before his capture, San Juan said in a radio interview that his group " will take action" before the end of the month. A group calling itself as "reformist" military officers had claimed responsibility over the explosion within the compound of Malacañang on Monday.

Reyes who placed the entire police units in Western Visayas on heightened alert, said "If they (men-in-uniform) go against the government, they should resign".

Communist Party of the Philippines spokesman Gregorio Rosal had previously issued statements praising the actions of fugitive military officers and even hinted at a tactical alliance with them.

PNP chief Arturo Lomibao said San Juan had just attended a meeting with top leaders of the CPP, when he was intercepted at a checkpoint manned by the military and police in Padre Garcia town of Batangas.*GPB

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