Philippines nabs its No. 1 fugitive

Philippine police captured the country’s most wanted man today, a former soldier, politician and onetime national hero who had been on the run since being accused of plotting to assassinate President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and overthrow her government.

Gregorio Honasan, popularly known as Gringo, was caught at 2:30 a.m. today as he tried to flee a joint force of police and military intelligence officials who raided a condominium inside a gated Manila villa.

Arresting officers said Honasan injured himself while jumping over the walls of adjoining homes as he attempted to escape.

Honasan’s hide-out was just a block from the headquarters of the military and the national police, whose officers had been searching for him since an arrest warrant was issued for him in February.

Honasan established his reputation as a rebel and national icon by leading the first “people power” revolution that ousted strongman Ferdinand Marcos in 1986.

He has been wanted since Arroyo declared a state of emergency, naming him the ringleader of a planned coup. She ordered him arrested along with 15 military officers, members of Congress and other political figures.

“Honasan’s fingerprints are in all the attempts at destabilizing the government,” Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said.

Police said they were open to “feelers” from other alleged plotters who might now be inclined to come in from the cold.

Honasan had previously grown disillusioned with Corazon Aquino, who followed Marcos to power, and tried to use his influence with disaffected military officers to overthrow her seven times.

After being arrested and imprisoned on a ship in Manila Bay in 1987, he won over his military guards to his cause and persuaded them to set him free.

Honasan became a master of disguises while on the run, dressing as a nun on one occasion and another time being transported from place to place by hearse while hiding in a coffin.

His escapades as a fugitive gave Honasan a romantic luster, which was accentuated by his nickname, acquired because of his light-colored skin.

Granted amnesty by President Fidel Ramos in 1995, Honasan channeled his popularity into electoral politics, winning a Senate seat and serving the maximum two terms.

But he chafed at what he saw as the unchecked corruption of Arroyo’s rule, a sentiment solidified by the release of recordings in which the president was heard instructing election officials during the 2004 vote to ensure her victory by 1 million ballots.

When attempts to impeach Arroyo could not muster the necessary votes, officials contend, frustrated critics such as Honasan conspired to kill her.

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bruce.wallace@latimes.com

Times special correspondent Vanzi reported from Manila and staff writer Wallace from Tokyo.