Arroyo offers talks to military after alleged coup plot

PHILIPPINES: President Gloria Arroyo confirmed Tuesday that she would hold talks with leaders of the Philippines military, less than two weeks after her government foiled an alleged coup plot by renegade officers.

In her first live interview since the crisis erupted in late February, Arroyo said the situation was "quiet and peaceful" but that she remained vigilant against a possible repeat attempt to destabilize her government.

"I plan to hold talks (with the military) and discuss important issues with them," the Filipino leader told GMA network. Meanwhile a mid-level Philippines military officer has been detained in a widening crackdown over an alleged coup plot against President Arroyo, the military said Tuesday.

Major Jason Aquino, a member of the elite Army Scout Rangers, has been confined to camp at the army headquarters here, said military spokesman Colonel Tristan Kison.

Aquino's commanding officer, Brigadier-General Danilo Lim, and four officers of a police commando unit have already been detained and a Marine colonel was sacked for their alleged role in a plot to oust Arroyo last month.

The government has also filed charges of rebellion and attempting a coup d'etat against 16 people including six legislators belonging to fringe leftist political parties.

Aquino had been sacked last year from his post as operations chief of the First Scout Ranger Regiment commanded by Lim after he distributed pamphlets that called for a change in government.

Manila, Tuesday, AFP