Faeldon, one of the six key leaders of the failed July 27, 2003 mutiny in Makati City, has been the subject of a massive military manhunt following his escape last Dec. 14 shortly after attending a hearing on coup d’etat charges in the Makati City regional trial court.
As if taunting the Armed Forces leadership, Faeldon later had his photographs taken and even videotaped his presence at the Western Command (Westcom) headquarters in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
Faeldon also showed up at the Armed Forces’ Southern Command (Southcom) in Zamboanga City last week.
Since his escape from the custody of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP), Faeldon has launched a civil disobedience campaign against the Arroyo administration in cyberspace.
Several military insiders claimed that Faeldon’s fellow Marines could have facilitated his visit to the Westcom and Southcom headquarters.
"There is no basis for that, we deny that… There is no such thing as facilitating (Faeldon’s entry to these camps)," Maj. Melquiades Ordiales, the Marine Corps spokesman, told reporters.
Ordiales said the Marine Corps, being part of the Armed Forces, would abide by orders from the military leadership to capture Faeldon.
However, Ordiales said there is no need for the Marine leadership to reiterate these arrest-Faeldon directives.
He echoed doubts of Armed Forces officials on the authenticity of Faeldon’s pictures in the two military camps, saying they could have been digitally manipulated.
"In the first place, we are not really sure if he is really doing the rounds… With technology, you can manipulate pictures and video," he said.
While declaring that the Marine Corps is solid behind the chain of command, Ordiales, however, could not say for certain if Faeldon enjoys support from within the military or not.
Army chief Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, who attended yesterday’s assumption of Maj. Gen. Gabriel Habacon as Southcom chief, said Faeldon "cannot hide all the time."
Esperon said he is saddened that Faeldon is allowing himself to be used by those "vested with destructive interests."
"(He) might think this is in pursuit of his idealism. (He) must realize that he is being used by destabilizers," he said.
Esperon belittled Faeldon’s capability to recruit soldiers to his cause. "He might think he is getting the support of soldiers, but he is not," he said. — With Roel Pareño