Army general Jovenal Narcise yesterday said the 5,000-strong 3 rd Infantry Division remains united and loyal to their mandate to follow the chain of command.

Policemen were placed on heightened alert in Negros Occidental yesterday ahead of protests today to call for the resignation of President Gloria Arroyo over a corruption scandal.

Narcise said his troops stationed in Negros, Panay, Cebu and Bohol are focusing their efforts on the conduct of anti-insurgency campaign, to meet the deadline set by President Arroyo to crush the armed insurgents by 2010.

The military claims to have received reports that the communist New People's Army may infiltrate the ranks of the protesters and instigate violence.

CPP spokesman Gregorio Rosal, in a statement, said the New People's Army has been instructed to intensify further tactical offensives to help weaken the Arroyo regime.

Critics of President Arroyo are scheduled to hold nationwide protests calling on her to resign over fresh claims that her husband and a political ally tried to get millions of dollars in kickbacks from a telecoms deal with a Chinese firm.

The $329-million deal for a national broadband network with China 's state-run ZTE has since been cancelled by Arroyo.

Some business groups have warned that the scandal could plunge the country into a new round of political instability and dampen investor confidence.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano warned soldiers of drastic action and punishment if they take part in any attempt to destabilize the government.

Malacañang has called for calm amid the scandal, but has challenged Arroyo's opponents to file charges in court.

Narcise said there is nothing to worry about in the Western and Central Visayas .

Police and military have belied reports that fugitive Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon was sighted in northern Negros.*GPB

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