Arroyo denies military reforms

Arroyo denies military reforms

PHILIPPINES: President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said on Saturday that military reforms had begun last year -- and were not prompted by rogue soldiers who held a mutiny weeks ago.

"The government is prepared to address the grievances of the soldiers, but they should never put the law into their own hands," Arroyo said in a weekly radio message.

"It is important for our people to know that the reforms in the Armed Forces of the Philippines were not a result of and do not justify the failed mutiny," she said.

More than 300 soldiers and officers occupied a posh apartment building and shopping complex in Manila's Makati financial district on July 27. -- AP