Members of the Philippine Army take over Shopping Mall in Manila

CNN

[yonif]

Members of the Philippine Army take over Shopping Mall in Manila

These are part of those who were uncovered as plotting to commence a coup-de-tat. The government announced today that they will be going after then (before this mall event happened).

[hellinahandcart]

Oh my...well, so much for this mall.

[yonif]

Report states that they are planting c-4 booby traps in the mall.

[withteeth]

I think this might be for real serious. For real huge.

[Dog]

They have hostages.

[Dog]

Just broke on Fox..

[withteeth]

The news channels aren't ready.

High-end mall with hotels, lots of foreign nationals. Heavily armed mutineers.

Not al-quaeda types. What was the earlier story?

[withteeth]

Voice Of America:

Philippine police say armed men have taken over a commercial center in the capital city of Manila, amid reports runaway soldiers were planning a coup attempt. Witnesses say men in camouflage were setting up explosives outside a large shopping mall.

This comes shortly after Philippine President Gloria Arroyo ordered the military to hunt down and arrest up to 70 junior military officers rumored to be involved in the coup attempt.

Ms. Arroyo issued the order Saturday after conferring with senior officers at the presidential palace, where security has been heightened. Armed Forces Chief of Staff Narcisco Abaya says at least 10 army and navy officers have deserted their posts as well as 40 other servicemen. He said the officers have illegally taken weapons with them.

Ms. Arroyo says the deserting military officers will receive the maximum penalty for mutiny and conspiracy to commit rebellion. Talks of a coup plot by junior officers, who have complained about low pay and corruption among their superiors, have been circulating in Manila for the past week.

Ms. Arroyo says she met this week with disaffected junior officers and had heard what she called "legitimate grievances" from them.

[HairOfTheDog]

Members of the Philippine Army take over Shopping Mall in Manila

They must have wimmen in their army!

[anymouse]

Send in these guys.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[Ben Hecks]

Too bad this is happening - the Philippines has been making positive gains in the fight against terrorism. It would be in our best interests if this were resolved quickly.

[Redcloak]

So how does one stage a coup by taking over The Gap?

Of course, they could be over at Banana Republic; so perhaps this isn't as loony as it sounds.

[Tijeras_Slim]

AYFCABTU
All Your Food Court Are Belong To Us

[ConservativeMan55]

This is very series and not the time for jokes. This could be a hugh world development.

[LayoutGuru2]

[nvskibum]

It is not a joke.

Unfortunately, I am now in an apartment building in Makati, Metro Manila, literally 100-200 yards accross the street from the affected commercial center. I can't go outside, as the area is swarming with military.

This area is the financial district/expatriate/high-powered business district of Manila. The commercial center contains many high-end shops and restaurants, and has several international-class hotels and apartments catering to foreign businessmen and otehr foreigners.

The coup plotters targeted this area because it essentially is the nerve center of the Philippine economy, and the residence of many of the local elite.

[MrNatural]

Tagolog PING!

[AmericanInTokyo]

keep you head down, and it time permits, please fill us in. but we don't express morbid curiosity about his or having a Freeper there near it, just concern for you, friend, so please keep it cool and safe and get back to us whenever you can securely there in Manila!

[WOSG]

When the going gets tough, the tough go shopping.