The Philippine Star 02/27/2006
By Jaime Laude
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200602270407.htm

The government is poised to file "the mother of all sedition and rebellion" charges against the key players and supporters of the latest attempt to overthrow President Arroyo.

Security sources said busy days are ahead for the police and military as they round up so-called "enemies of the state" — those who hatched the coup plot as well as virulent critics of the administration.

"The government is putting its foot down to bring order and get destabilizers and conspirators from both the left and right … They should all face the full force of the law," a ranking security official said.

The official declined to elaborate on the supposed action plans but said the crackdown would be a joint military and police effort.

The official said military personnel who have been implicated in the coup plot would be handled by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

AFP information chief Col. Tristan Kison, however, denied they have a list of officers and servicemen linked to the coup attempt, with the exception of Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim.

Lim, commander of the Army’s First Scout Ranger Regiment, was ordered arrested by AFP chief Gen. Generoso Senga for calling on his men to stop supporting the chain of command.

Lim, who was based at Camp Tecson in San Miguel, Bulacan, was allegedly planning to announce his withdrawal of support before the rallies celebrating the 20th anniversary of the people power revolt last Friday.

His supposed involvement in the latest power grab attempt has been described as a "clear and present danger" by military and police authorities.

Kison said the military is still determining the extent of support in the AFP for the latest coup plot.

Once these people are unmasked, the AFP is ready to effect their arrest, he said.

Another security official said the "mother of all sedition and inciting to rebellion charges" covers everybody behind the plot to oust the President.

He said the charges covers all the people of different political persuasions along with their supporters.

The government began the crackdown last Saturday with the arrest of several opposition personalities and raids on newspapers critical of Mrs. Arroyo.

The President charged renegade military officers, backed by civilian supporters, with forging an alliance with leftist groups to topple the government.

Police arrested Anakpawis party list Rep. Crispin Beltran, a day after Mrs. Arroyo declared a state of national emergency following an alleged coup plot.

Lawmen also arrested retired police general Ramon Montaño in a golf course in Cavite.

Police also sealed the offices of The Daily Tribune on T. M. Kalaw street in Ermita, Manila.

There were also attempts to arrest two other militant lawmakers, Bayan Muna congressmen Rafael Mariano and Satur Ocampo, who managed to slip away during a news conference at the Sulo Hotel in Quezon City.

More than 200 people have been lined up for arrest by security forces after being linked to the latest coup plot against the President.

Sources disclosed most of those to be picked up are former politicians who were directly involved in hatching the takeover attempt after the military ordered the arrest of Lim.

An official had disclosed that the Philippine National Police (PNP) have over 100 in their list, aside from an equal number of people to be arrested by the AFP.

With the arrests of Beltran and Montaño over the weekend, it confirmed earlier reports that the supposed arrest list named personalities identified with the opposition, the leftists and rightist groups.

Sources disclosed security forces are now sealing off all seaports, the local and international airports to prevent those in the arrest list from leaving the country.

"Kasi marami na rin nakalabas. Nasa Hong Kong na iyong iba (some of them had gotten out. Some of them already fled to Hong Kong)," the security official said.

"Military and police teams have been placed on standby yesterday for today’s enforcement of Proclamation 1017," the source said.

Police contingents coming from the provinces arrived Saturday night at the PNP headquarters at Camp Crame in Quezon City to assist the National Capital Region Police and other support units in the enforcement of Proclamation 1017.