ARMED Forces chief of staff General Narciso Abaya declared his "full support" Saturday for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and ordered the arrest of 10 junior officers he said were plotting against her government.
The officers, who graduated from the Philippine Military Academy between 1995 and 1997, are backed by "between 40-50 men" who are "fully armed and can do a lot of damage," he told a news conference at the presidential palace.
Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes said on television that the officers may be capable of terrorist activities but assured the public that the situation was under control.
Abay assured Ms Macapagal of the "full support of the Armed Forces of the Philippines." The President earlier Saturday announced the discovery of a possible coup plot against her and ordered a manhunt for the conspirators.
"They deserted their posts and brought weapons," he said. "We can assume that they are here in Metro Manila."
The officers were identified as:
Lieutenant (Senior Grade) Antonio Trillanes IV Navy
Lieutenant (Senior Grade) James Layug Navy
Captain Gerardo Gambala Army
Captain Laurence Louis Somera Army
Captain Milo Maestrecampo Army
Captain Albert Baloloy Army
1st Lieutenant Lawrence San Juan Army
1st Lieutenant Florentino Somera Army
1st Lieutenant Jose Enrico Demetrio Dingle Army
1st Lieutenant Warren Lee Dagupon Army
As this developed, armored military and police vehicles and heavily-armed soldiers barricaded the gates of Malacañang Palace.
Scores of presidential security guards, clad in fatigue combat uniforms and armed with assault rifles, searched all vehicles passing through streets around Malacañang palace and turned away uninvited palace visitors, an Agence France-Presse reporter on the scene said.
Two armored troop transports and three police cars were seen parked across the main gate of the compound, while police aboard motorcycles patrolled the streets outside. (Originally posted 8:04 PM)