MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Hours after the Philippines
went on a coup alert, dozens of armed men took over a major
commercial centre in Manila's financial district early Sunday, in
what appeared to be part of a coup attempt, reported local
journalists.
Men in camouflage uniforms were seen setting up explosives in the
parking lot adjacent to the Intercontinental Hotel.
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered her military
on Saturday to hunt down 70 rogue junior army and navy officers
suspected of planning to overthrow the government.
Arroyo ordered the arrest after learning the officers had
deserted their posts and were carrying illegally purchased weapons.
The military's chief of staff, Gen. Narciso Abaya, said the men
would be charged with mutiny and conspiracy to commit rebellion.
Rumours of a coup had circulated for the past week amid reports
of restiveness among junior military officers upset about low pay
and corruption among their superiors.
The speaker of the Senate said the officers' attempt "to
destabilize the government" had been foiled, and that the government
has the full support of the military. But as precautionary measure,
security was heightened at the presidential palace, and armored
personnel was posted at the gates.
The low number of mutineers was still of concern to Abaya who
said, "We cannot be complacent about the smaller number because they
can do some damage."
Abaya also pledged the military's "loyalty to the constitution
and our democratic institutions and our solid support for our
commander in chief."
Arroyo has faced coup rumours in the past over questions about
her legitimacy as leader and graft in her government.
Written by CBC News Online staff
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