National state of emergency continues

During the night, President Arroyo ordered the arrest of 16 politicians and high-ranking officials of the Armed Forces who are implicated in the alleged coup d'etat to overthrow her. The marines have confirmed their backing for the legitimate government.

Manila (AsiaNews/Agencies) – The political crisis in the Philippines shows no signs of dying down: President Arroyo today confirmed the national state of emergency proclaimed on Friday and ordered the arrest of 16 members of the Filipino opposition for their alleged role in the failed coup d'etat to overthrow her.

Until today, those arrested occupied high-ranking posts in the police and in the political world: among them is Crispin Beltran, leader of the right-wing coalition Bayan Muna [The nation comes first ndr], already arrested and released on Friday.

State Prosecutor, Emmanuel Velasco told a press conference that the MPs arrested "could lose their parliamentary immunity" because the crimes of which they were accused "are punishable by sentences of more than six years". The politicians cannot even benefit from bail because the judicial authorities "have solid proof against them".

The head of the national police, Arturo Lomibao, added that four out of the 16 arrested were high-ranking anti-terrorism police officials, including Superintendent Benjamin Magalon, accused of having recruited colleagues to take part in "even armed" manifestations against Arroyo.

Lomibao hastened to underline that the "the situation is not militarily worrying" and he pointed to the renewed loyalty sworn to the Presidential Palace yesterday by the Marines, the country's elite military corps.

General Renato Miranda, who led the select body of 8,000 men, yesterday "spontaneously" handed in his resignation citing "personal reasons" and he was replaced by his deputy, General Nelson Allaga. The initial protest of the corps against the "aggression" – fomented by Colonel Ariel Querubin – fizzled out and at night, Allaga confirmed the backing for the legitimate government.

• PHILIPPINES
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