The Magdalo were the group of dissident soldiers who staged the unsuccessful Oakwood mutiny.

Encouragingly for Mr. Mandela, the dissident soldiers say the friction is not primarily a matter of racial hostility.

In August 1987, however, dissident soldiers staged a serious, though abortive, uprising that left 53 dead.

About 600 dissident soldiers were dismissed from the 1,400-member army in March, and the 3,000-member police force evaporated in May.

Magdalo (mutineers), a group of dissident soldiers in the Philippines during the 21st century.

The sources said at least three truckloads of dissident soldiers were turned away from two major military camps after reports that they intended to seize the installations.

The order came as the armed forces were put on alert against further disturbances after a two-day episode in which dissident soldiers took over a broadcast station.

Eventually, the "dissident soldier" managed to attend the Shanghai Maritime Academy.

Officers said they still were hunting for dissident soldiers who helped stage the coup attempt.

But other military men say that strong action against dissident soldiers in this delicate period could trigger a crisis.