No destabilization plot  here – N. Luzon military

Troops in Northern Luzon are not involved in any move to destabilize or overthrow the government, the region’s military commander said yesterday.

In a statement, Lt. Gen. Rodrigo Maclang, Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) chief, said the soldiers under his command are not being recruited for any anti-government effort.

“As far as our troops in the Northern and Central Luzon are concerned, our loyalty belongs to the Constitution,” he said.

“We have not been and never will be a party to any attempts to destabilize or overthrow the government.”

“I have been doing rounds of visits to all our units in Regions 1, 2, 3 and the Cordillera Administrative Region to review their performance, uplift the morale of the troops and ensure their adherence to the Constitution.”

Maclang said his men remain cohesive and focused on their mandated mission, and that any attempt to destabilize or overthrow the government would no longer prosper.

“They have already grown tired of any overtures or any attempts that would drive a wedge within their ranks,” he said.

“They pledged to reject any recruitment, just like in the past, by destabilizers who are only interested in pursuing their selfish political agenda.”

Reports said some “disgruntled factions” in the military out to  destabilize the administration and oust President Arroyo are capitalizing on the controversial National Broadband Network project.

The Nolcom covers the regions of Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and Central Luzon.

It had been the favorite recruitment base of coup plotters.

Last week, at least six military officers were relieved for alleged involvement in a new attempt to destabilize the government, according to Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon. – James Mananghaya, Charlie Lagasca