Philippine army working to stop coup plot
(AP)
Updated: 2006-02-24 10:23

The Philippine military worked to quash a coup plot Friday, arresting an army general and urging soldiers not to get involved in demonstrations against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Government troops arrive in their armored personnel carriers to reinforce their comrades at the Armed Forces of the Philippines Headquarters at suburban Quezon city, northeast of Manila, following an alleged attempted coup Friday Feb. 24, 2006. The military tried to quash a possible coup attempt Friday, arresting an army general accused of involvement in the plan and urging soldiers not to get involved in politics by joining demonstrations calling for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to quit. [AP]

Already-tight security was bolstered in the capital. The government canceled rally permits and told schools to call off classes, aiming to keep the opposition from exploiting scheduled demonstrations commemorating the 20th anniversary of the "people power" revolt that ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

Arroyo held a pre-dawn emergency meeting of her national security council, said her chief of staff, Mike Defensor.

"The president is in control and is taking steps to avoid trouble," Defensor said, adding that an unspecified number of civilians and miltary officials had been arrested and eight to 10 more were being sought.

Army chief of staff Gen. Generoso Senga reported that army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, head of the elite scout rangers, was among those arrested and marine Col. Ariel Querubin was being sought. Senga said the military will remain loyal to the constitution and the democratically elected government.

"We have reduced the threat," he said. "We cannot say that it has been stopped."

Arroyo was briefed on the situation.

"Of course she's concerned," Senga said. "Like a shepherd with her flock, she would not want any part of it to go astray."

Retired police Gen. Ramon Montano urged troops and police to join demonstrations against Arroyo.

Extra barbed wire and shipping containers were set up on roads leading to Malacanang, the presidential palace, and only essential staff were allowed in. Security council members had to leave their cars outside and walk into the compound.

Checkpoints appeared around the capital. Media were barred from the main military headquarters, Camp Aguinaldo, where reinforcements arrived in eight armored personnel carriers. An armored personnel carrier sat outside the marines' camp, with a truckload of marines in full battle gear nearby.

Police already were on red alert nationwide as widespread reports of a coup plot have circulated for more than a week; even elementary school students were discussing it in detail.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon has said 14 junior officers were identified as being involved, and that the military stood ready to crush any takeover attempt.

Arroyo survived three impeachment bids in September related to complaints of alleged corruption and vote-rigging. Opposition groups have continued to call for her resignation.