Arroyo orders arrest of officers

Arroyo orders arrest of officers

PHILIPPINES: President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Thursday ordered the arrest of police and soldiers involved in criminal syndicates, saying a key to the government's drive against corruption is jailing "rascals in uniform."

She also imposed an indefinite ban on civilians carrying firearms in public.

She ordered a stepped-up drive against police who are abusive or discourteous, solicit bribes and are of shady character. Arroyo added she was eagerly awaiting the dismissal and prosecution of 32 police personnel facing proceedings and an additional 16 undergoing investigation.

Last year, Arroyo ordered a virtual search-and-destroy mission against 21 criminal gangs that have made the country Asia's kidnap capital. She said then that police should "neutralize the kidnapping syndicates" instead of simply ending abductions.--AP