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Sunday, December 02, 2007
Philippine police on full alert while Arroyo on European trip (3:20 p.m.)
MANILA -- Philippine police went on full alert Sunday after President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo proceeded with a European trip despite a failed attempt by a group of soldiers and civilian backers to trigger a "people power" revolt against her.
National police Director General Avelino Razon said forces were on guard for other possible threats by renegade soldiers after elite government forces quelled an attempt by rebel military officers to force Arroyo's ouster on Thursday.
Military troops have been on alert in the bustling capital since the rebel soldiers took over Manila's five-star Peninsula Hotel and called for a public revolt.
The uprising was led by Sen. Antonio Trillanes, a former navy officer who was elected to the Senate in May, and U.S.-trained army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, backed by dozens of armed soldiers and civilian sympathizers who included former Vice President Teofisto Guingona and two Catholic bishops.
They were arrested and charged with rebellion after the uprising was crushed.
Arroyo survived three previous coup attempts and three opposition impeachment bids over alleged corruption and human rights abuses during her seven tumultuous years in power.
Razon said police were still hunting at least four young officers involved in the takeover of the Peninsula, a popular meeting place of the rich and famous in Manila's Makati financial district.
Arroyo's government has put up a 1 million peso (US$23,255; euro15,754) reward for the capture of one of the four officers, marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon, who has been implicated in past attempts by renegade officers to topple her from power.
Arroyo left late Saturday for Europe, where she will make a state visit to Spain. She will also travel to France and Britain.
"It is with complete confidence that I will travel to Europe to advance our national interests in meeting with the business and government leaders in Spain and England," she said in a prepared statement, adding the country is calm and secure and the rule of law has prevailed.
On Thursday, 14 soldiers led by Trillanes and Lim walked out of their court trial on earlier rebellion charges, marched more than a kilometer (a little more than half a mile) through Makati's traffic-choked streets then barged into the Peninsula Hotel, surprising business executives and foreign guests who were having lunch.
Lim read a statement calling for the removal of Arroyo over a string of corruption scandals that have plagued her government. He also sought public support for the uprising. But pro-Arroyo forces rapidly cordoned off the Peninsula with tanks and trucks and asked the rebels to surrender.
After a seven-hour standoff, special forces fired volleys of warnings shots and tear gas, then used an armored personnel carrier to smash through the hotel's front glass doors that were tied shut with rope.
Trillanes, Lim and their followers gave up, saying they did not want innocent civilians to get killed if they put up an armed resistance. (AP) |
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