Anti-Aquino Generals Reported Under House Arrest

Philippine military reformists said Saturday that at least a dozen generals and several other officers have been placed under house arrest to prevent them from disrupting the new government of President Corazon Aquino.

They said among those under the restrictions were Gen. Luther Custodio and other top associates of the former armed forces chief, Gen. Fabian C. Ver, who fled to Hawaii last month with deposed President Ferdinand E. Marcos.

Custodio and Ver were among the 25 military officers and one civilian aquitted by a court last December of charges of conspiracy in the killing of Aquino’s husband, Benigno S. Aquino Jr. He was shot to death Aug. 21, 1983, at the Manila airport as he returned home from voluntary exile in the United States.

Navy Capt. Rex Robles, a member of the Reformed Armed Forces of the Philippines Movement, said Saturday that he was not sure how many high-ranking officers were under house arrest but that it included about “a dozen” generals.

Not in Military Custody

Robles said the arrests did not mean that the officers are in military custody, but rather that they are required to regularly report to other officers so that their whereabouts are known.

He said Col. Romeo Abadilla, a former top intelligence officer who has been accused of involvement in military abuses, also was under house arrest.

There has been no formal announcement of the house arrests by the military.

Col. Gregorio Honasan, a security officer for the Defense Ministry, said Saturday in Manila that there have been “pockets of resistance” consisting of members of the military still loyal to Marcos. But he said no major incidents of resistance have occurred since Feb. 25, when Marcos fled the country that he ruled for 20 years and Aquino came to power.