Arrests follow Philippine coup attempt

MANILA, Philippines -- Fifty military officers and their supporters -- including a former vice president -- were under arrest and others were being sought Friday following a failed attempt to trigger a "people power" revolt against the Philippines' president.

About 3,000 left-wing activists called for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's ouster over alleged corruption and human rights violations during two previously planned protests to honor a prominent Filipino revolutionary hero, police said.

The gatherings were tiny in comparison to the uprisings that ousted presidents in 2001 and 1986, and it appeared that Arroyo had survived yet another crisis.

The latest bid to oust her came Thursday, when 27 soldiers walked out of their trial on earlier insurrection charges and commandeered the five-star Peninsula Hotel. They were joined by Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim -- suspected of involvement in another failed coup plot last year -- along with dozens of sympathizers within the military and leaders of leftist and opposition groups.

Lim issued a statement urging Arroyo to resign and asking the armed forces to withdraw support for her.

The events were remarkably similar to four years ago, when the same officers tried a similar tactic at another upscale hotel a few blocks away.

The result was nearly the same, too, though Arroyo -- clearly miffed that she continues to be dogged by attempts to oust her -- showed less tolerance this time, dispatching troops and police SWAT teams. They fired tear gas and volleys of gunfire into the lobby of the Peninsula hotel and used an armored personnel carrier to bash in the roped-shut glass entrance doors.

Of the 101 people arrested at the hotel in Makati, Manila's business district, only 50 remained in custody Friday -- including former Vice President Teofisto Guingona -- and were to be charged with rebellion, said Department of Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Marius Corpuz.

National police chief Avelino Razon earlier said several documents were found at the hotel that "support the theory that this is a well-planned activity."

"There are other components ... and we are pursuing the other groups that might try to continue to implement their plans," Razon said.

The capital and surrounding areas were put under a one-night curfew to allow police to pursue follow-up arrests. Razon said authorities were still looking for some of the rebel soldiers who managed to escape, including one of the leaders, Capt. Nicanor Faeldon.

At least three previous coup plots and three impeachment attempts have plagued Arroyo's seven tumultuous years in power, but each has subsequently drawn fewer people to the streets.

Arroyo offered reassurances that the government is stable and claimed the military is loyal to her. She planned to go ahead with a previously scheduled trip to Spain and Britain on Saturday, presidential aide Cerge Remonde said.

"Again and again we have shown to the world the stability of the institutions of our democracy and the strength of this government," Arroyo said on national television. "Wrong and misguided deeds of the few do not speak for the people or the army and police."

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Associated Press writers Teresa Cerojano, Jim Gomez and Hrvoje Hranjski contributed to this report.