Philippine soldiers rebel in Manila
By Paul Alexander
Associated Press
MANILA, Philippines — Rebellious soldiers demanding the Philippine government's resignation stormed a major commercial center in Manila early today and wired it with explosives. Hours later, more than 15 of as many as 200 soldiers surrendered to government troops.
Radio reports said the soldiers who surrendered walked from the building complex they had seized to a nearby car park, where government troops were waiting.
Pedestrians pass a Philippine Marine as he guards an intersection. The commercial center was also occupied for several days during a coup attempt against former President Corazon Aquino in 1989.
The surrenders came after President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered military and police to suppress the mutineers "immediately." She had earlier set a 5 p.m. (11 p.m. last night Hawai'i time) deadline for the soldiers to turn themselves in.
It was not clear if her order meant military action would take place before the deadline.
The standoff began soon after Arroyo ordered the arrest of junior officers who deserted with their weapons and were believed to be plotting a coup.
"There is absolutely no justification for the actions you have taken," Arroyo told the rogue soldiers in a nationally televised address. "You have already stained the uniform. Do not drench it with dishonor. Your actions are already hovering at the fringes of outright terrorism."
Arroyo later issued a "state of rebellion," which gives authorities power to carry out arrests without warrants. She then told military and police to "immediately carry out the necessary actions and measures to suppress and quell the rebellion with due regard to constitutional rights."
Renegade troops in camouflage uniforms set up gun posts and rigged explosives at 3 a.m. around the outside of the Glorietta complex, which includes one of the capital's largest shopping malls.
The military responded by sending marines to positions nearby. Television footage later showed them shaking hands with some of the rebellious officers, raising questions about what government forces would do if ordered to mount an assault.
"We are not attempting to grab power. We are just trying to express our grievances," said navy Lt. Sr. Grade Antonio Trillanes, who is among the officers Arroyo ordered arrested.
He said that the explosives were for self-defense. "If they try to take us down, we will be forced to use it," Trillanes said.
Trillanes said he has the support of 2,000 officers and soldiers. Early radio reports said about 100 men were involved. They were armed with rifles and wore red arm bands with a symbol of sun rays.
U.S. Ambassador Francis Ricciardone said "at this time, we don't believe there is a real threat to the Arroyo government." He advised Americans in the Philippines to stay at home and avoid gatherings, and expressed confidence that the crisis can be resolved peacefully.
"We made it clear to the armed forces ... and any other sector of the society ... that the United States' relationship with this country is dependent on it being a government that is rooted in the rule of law, not mob rule, not unlawful actions that (Arroyo) has characterized," he said.
Rumors of a coup plot had been spreading for the past week. Arroyo took action yesterday, announcing that she had ordered the military and police to hunt down and "arrest a small band of rogue junior officers and soldiers who have deserted their post and illegally brought weapons with them."
The officers responded in a video released just before the takeover, accusing the government of selling arms and ammunition to Muslim and communist rebels, staging deadly bombings to justify more aid from the United States and preparing to declare martial law to stay in power.
Australian Ambassador Ruth Pearce initially was prevented from leaving a nearby ritzy apartment complex where a number of foreign diplomats live. But all residents were later evacuated, some leaving carrying children and luggage. Many appeared alarmed as they passed a rebel machine gun outside the building.
National Security Adviser Roilo Golez said he hoped for negotiations and a peaceful resolution.
"We have to be very prudent about this," he said. "This is similar to the 1989 coup attempt."
There were several coup attempts against former President Corazon Aquino in the late 1980s by officers complaining about corruption.
In a 1989 attempt, rebellious troops also occupied the commercial center. They held onto it, deploying snipers on top of the Intercontinental Hotel and nearby high-rises, for several days until they were persuaded to surrender.
Defense Minister Angelo Reyes said officials don't want the current standoff to drag on "because it will affect the economy, the stock market and everything." Arroyo is scheduled to give her annual state of the nation address tomorrow.
The rebellious officers issued a statement early today talking of disillusionment over corruption and favoritism. Soldiers and officers in the past have complained about low pay; the military is poorly equipped and trained, and hampered by budgetary constraints.
"We demand the resignation of our leaders in the present regime," the statement said. "We are willing to sacrifice our lives today, to pursue a program not tainted with politicking."
Military spokesman Lt. Col. Daniel Lucero urged the men to surrender.
"This is not the right way to express our sentiments," he said in a statement. "In this kind of adventurism, only the enlisted personnel will suffer."
Interior Secretary Jose Lina ordered the arrest of Sen. Gregorio Honasan, citing an intelligence report reportedly linking the former army colonel to the mutiny. Honasan, who has been accused of involvement in past coup plots, denied he had any "influence or control" over the mall takeover.
