Six held for 'inciting rebellion' in RP

Six held for 'inciting rebellion' in RP

PHILIPPINES: Six Philippine military officers have been arrested
for inciting rebellion against President Gloria Arroyo's
government, officials said on Thursday.

The six, who have been detained by the Philippine army, were
part of a group within the armed forces who appeared on
television late on Wednesday demanding the resignation of Defense
Secretary Eduardo Ermita.

The group accused the defense secretary of spying on Arroyo's
rivals for the presidential election in May, as well as
"consolidating efforts so that the forthcoming elections will not
push through as scheduled".

Ermita said the group had violated the chain of command and
could be liable for violating articles of war by attacking
Arroyo, who as president is also the commander-in-chief of the
130,000-strong armed forces.

"When you urge the people to turn against the government or
any duly constituted authority, that is inciting to rebellion and
we are now looking at what legal grounds to use against them,"
Ermita told AFP.

"These people are trying to paint an unstable situation for
their own purposes," Ermita said. "The ongoing investigation is
to find out the extent of their activities and if there are
others involved in the destabilization plot." -- AFP