Mutineers Take Over Complex in Philippines

Dozens of mutinous soldiers took over a shopping mall in Manila’s financial district early today, briefly seized the Australian ambassador and called on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to resign.

The rebellious troops, who also temporarily held two Americans and four Australian police officers, booby-trapped the mall complex with explosives as troops loyal to the president surrounded them.

Arroyo, identifying herself as commander in chief, gave the mutineers seven hours to surrender before they would be removed by force.

“You have crossed the line,” she said in a televised address. “You have now engaged in an unlawful action backed by force. Your actions are hovering on the fringes of outright terrorism. You will find no support among our people and the world.”

The rogue officers and soldiers said they were protesting what they claimed was a plan by Arroyo to declare martial law and remain in power beyond the expiration of her term next year.

Arroyo, who announced earlier this year that she would not run for reelection, had called the soldiers “fugitives from military justice” and ordered their arrest Saturday after they deserted with their weapons amid rumors of a brewing coup attempt.

Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes said the mutineers were “misinformed and misguided.”

Speaking to the Philippine public by videotape, mutiny leader Navy Lt. Antonio Trillanes accused Arroyo’s government of selling arms to Islamic militants and staging bombings in the southern Philippines to provide a pretext for a declaration of martial law in August.

“We demand the resignation of the entire regime which has only looked after the rich and enriched themselves,” Trillanes said. “This is not a coup d’etat. We do not intend to grab power.”

The takeover of the Glorietta mall complex and the adjoining Oakwood Premier Hotel shortly after midnight struck at the heart of Manila’s wealthy commercial district and set the stage for a standoff that could disrupt business and damage the Philippines’ international reputation.

Arroyo, who had met with some of the disgruntled officers last week in an attempt to address their grievances, was reported by the palace to be huddled with her Cabinet through the night.

It was unclear whether the rebels had intended to seize Australian Ambassador Ruth Pearce, the Americans and the Australian federal police officers. They are residents of the Oakwood and may have been accidentally taken hostage when the rebels captured the building. The residents, including Pearce, were allowed to leave the building later this morning.

The rogue forces, said to comprise about 20 junior officers and 50 soldiers, cast themselves as protectors of the people who oppose corruption and underhanded deals with the enemy.

“Our soldiers have been sacrificing while our leaders have been enriching themselves,” Trillanes said. “We believe we cannot achieve peace while greedy officials head the armed forces and the Philippine national police.”

The Philippines has a history of presidents’ taking and holding power without the approval of voters. After winning election in 1965, President Ferdinand E. Marcos declared martial law in 1972 and remained in office until 1986. He was forced to step down after a group of police officers and soldiers seized two bases in Manila and the public rallied to their support in what became known as “people power.”

Arroyo, who had been vice president, assumed the presidency under questionable circumstances in January 2001 when her predecessor, Joseph Estrada, was forced out of office by a combination of public protest and military opposition.

Supporters of Estrada’s ouster called the transfer “people power II.” Critics decried it as a military coup disguised as popular democracy. Estrada, who has been imprisoned ever since, denies that he resigned and handed power to Arroyo.

The Philippines has been in a state of turmoil throughout Arroyo’s term. The armed forces have fought rebellions by Islamic separatists and Communist guerrillas while combating high-profile abductions by the Islamic group Abu Sayyaf and other kidnap-for-ransom gangs.

Bombers believed to be linked to the Jemaah Islamiah terrorist network and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have staged a series of deadly blasts, including two this year in Davao City.

The U.S. has provided military aid and training to the Philippines and is seeking a negotiated peace agreement with the Moro rebels. The Pentagon announced this year that it would deploy troops to fight the rebels, but it was forced to cancel the plan because it would have violated a Philippine constitutional ban on foreign combat troops.

Trillanes charged that the government was behind the bombings and was colluding with the rebels to obtain increased aid from the U.S. and to set the stage for martial law.

“The government of Gloria Arroyo and the leadership of the military and police have been selling arms to the Abu Sayyaf and the MILF,” he said. “These are the same bullets killing our soldiers.”

Members of Arroyo’s Cabinet charged that Sen. Gregorio Honasan, a longtime rival, was behind the mutinous troops’ seizure of the mall.

Honasan, known by the nickname Gringo, mounted coup attempts in the 1980s against then-President Corazon Aquino. He was arrested, sent to prison, escaped, accepted amnesty and was elected to the Senate. He has indicated that he will run for president next year.

Supporters of Honasan’s National Recovery movement marched near the mall in support of the rebellious troops in what appeared to be an attempt to build popular support for Arroyo’s ouster.

Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye appealed to the public to avoid the area.

“The president is fully in charge,” Bunye said.

Times staff writer Paddock reported from Bangkok, Thailand, and special correspondent Vanzi from Manila.