Manila
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo last week declared a state of emergency, after accusing more than a dozen military officers and members of parliament of plotting a coup. She said rogue officers had planned to encourage a popular revolt during last week’s 20th anniversary celebrations of the “people power” protests that ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Opposition leaders said Arroyo was using the failed coup as an excuse to retaliate against her political rivals. Among those charged with rebellion, an offense that carries a minimum sentence of 40 years in prison, are five members of the House of Representatives and a former senator. But the military said the foiled coup was real and that other plotters were still at large.
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