FAELDON WEBSITE DRAWS 1 MILLION VISITORS
MANILA, January 26, 2006 (MALAYA) MORE than a month after its launching, the website of escaped Oakwood mutiny leader Capt. Nicanor Faeldon has been viewed over a million times as of yesterday.The website (http://www.pilipino.org.ph), which Faeldon launched days after escaping from military custody last Dec. 14, recorded 1,000,005 hits at 10:15 a.m., and rose to 1,041,560 at 5:30 p.m, the site’s counter showed.
"We congratulate the web-masters for that, for using Faeldon," said Lt. Cdr. Earl Evan Pabalan, deputy chief of the AFP public information office.
The AFP has said the website is not being run by Faeldon himself.
"Granting the Filipinos’ penchant for searching the web and Filipino’s concern for curiosity, we expect those numbers. It’s an indication of mere curiosity," he added.
A technical expert who requested not to be identified said the website is being run from No. 13 Pines st., near 14th avenue in Caloocan City. It was not clear if the military community is aware of this.
The expert also told reporters that based on the website registry, the webpage of Faeldon is hosted by "NS9.Nokiahost.com" and "NS10.Nokiahost.com."
Army chief Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon earlier said he would work to dismantle Faeldon’s website at the price of violating civil liberties.
That the site is still on the web indicates the host server is foreign based and, thus, beyond the reach of Esperon, experts said.
Through the website, Faeldon has been calling on the public to take part in a civil disobedience campaign to overthrow the Arroyo administration.
He has said Arroyo was "corrupt and ruthless and will do anything to remain in power."
Taunting authorities, including the AFP and PNP which have launched a "nationwide" manhunt for him, Faeldon also posted videos clips and photographs of his visits to the headquarters of the Western Command in Puerto Princesa City, Southern Command in Zamboanga City, and PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
Faeldon has said he could not be stopped from entering these camps unless corrupt generals themselves manned the gates. He also said military officers and men have committed themselves to take part in the civil disobedience campaign.
Authorities have been saying the photos and videos could have been computer-manipulated.
Pabalan dismissed the possibility of Faeldon visiting Camp Aguinaldo. Text messages said Faeldon was sighted at the AFP headquarters.
"As regard the alleged sightings of Capt. Faeldon inside Camp Aguinaldo, those are baseless; those are untrue. That is bereft of details…that is plain and simple disinformation," Pabalan said.
Pabalan said Army Brig. Gen. Jovenal Narcise, commander of the Headquarters and Headquarters Support Group, has given the assurance there is no way Faeldon could enter Camp Aguinaldo undetected.
Other reports said Faeldon was sighted inside Camp Karingal, home of the Quezon City Police District.
The PNP said it was checking the report.
"We will evaluate information and depend on information. The ground commander will make the judgment call. The units in a particular area can deal with reports of the sightings," said Chief Supt. Leopoldo Bataoil, PNP spokesman. – Victor Reyes and Raymond Africa
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2006
by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
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