The World : Manila Frees 800 in Plot

The Philippine army began freeing hundreds of mutineer troops who have been jailed aboard ships in Manila Bay since the failed Aug. 28 coup, but a military spokesman rejected calls for clemency for the revolt’s leaders. As the first troops were brought ashore for “re-education” before being returned to their units, the armed forces chief, Gen. Fidel V. Ramos, warned that new attempts to disrupt the government could not be ruled out. About 800 mutineers, mostly privates among 1,300 troops interned aboard ship, were the first released under a Ramos program that calls for reorientation and an eventual return to active service for those with lesser involvement.