Military

DATE=07/27/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=PHILIPPINES PLOT (L)

NUMBER=2-305846

BYLINE=HEDA BAYRON

DATELINE=HONG KONG

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Dozens of armed rebellious soldiers have stormed a commercial complex in the heart of Manila's financial district, briefly holding the Australian ambassador. V-O-A's Heda Bayron reports, the soldiers are demanding that Philippine President Gloria Arroyo step down.

TEXT: Residents of a high-end apartment tower, home to expatriates and diplomats, were roused from sleep when renegade soldiers occupied their building and its surrounding installations. The mutineers say they wired the commercial complex with explosives.

Philippine President Gloria Arroyo gave them until late in the day to surrender, saying the government will use force if they do not stand down. She says the soldiers' actions are a disgrace.

/// ARROYO ACT ///

You have already stained the uniform. Do not drench it with dishonor. Your actions are already hovering at the fringes of outright terrorism."

/// END ACT ///

Government troops have surrounded the buildings, but no confrontation has been reported.

The rebels say they will not fire first. The group, apparently led by middle-ranking officers from the army and navy, say they are willing to die to force change in the government.

/// SOLDIER ACT, IN TAGALOG, EST & FADE ///

Navy Lieutenant Senior Grade Antonio Trillanes says his group is demanding Ms. Arroyo resign. He says her government is selling arms to Muslim rebels and has been staging terrorist attacks to get more aid money from the United States.

Several hostages, including the Australian ambassador, were held briefly and released.

The Philippines' main ally, the United States, gave its full backing to Ms. Arroyo and warned of "immediate negative consequences" to bilateral relations if the coup attempt succeeds. Australia says it would consider sending Australian troops to the Philippines, if requested.

/// OPT ///

The complex being held by the mutineers is situated in the heart of a Manila's financial district. It houses apartments, office buildings, a sprawling shopping mall, and is surrounded by five-star hotels. On a typical Sunday, thousands of Filipinos flock to the area with their families.

/// END OPT ///

For the past few days, Manila has been rife with rumors of a military coup. Earlier, Ms. Arroyo denied the reports, but on Saturday, she announced a destabilization plot has been uncovered.

It is not clear how much support the rebel soldiers have within the military or if other senior or retired military officials are also involved.

/// OPT ///

The Philippines has experienced several military coup attempts since its return to popular democracy in 1986, the last in 1989.

/// END OPT ///

President Arroyo is set to deliver what will be her last state of the nation address Monday. She has said she is not running for re-election next year. (SIGNED)

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