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Armed rebels seize Manila commercial centre
Manila, July 27: Disgruntled soldiers stormed a major commercial centre in Manila`s financial district early today, hours after President Gloria Arroyo ordered the arrest of mutinous junior officers believed to be plotting a coup.
Manila, July 27: Disgruntled soldiers stormed a major commercial centre in Manila`s financial district early today, hours after President Gloria Arroyo ordered the arrest of mutinous junior officers believed to be plotting a coup.
Men in camouflage uniforms wired explosives at 3 am (0030 IST) in the parking lot of the Glorietta Complex, which includes one of the capital`s largest shopping malls, and in front of the adjacent Intercontinental Hotel, where guards prevented guests from leaving for their own safety.
Australian ambassador Ruth Pearce was being held along with a group of Australian Federal Police, Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty said today.
However, she along with 300 other foreign residents have been released. The Australian government would consider sending forces to the Philippines, if Manila asks for help, he said. "Everybody there is calm," he said. "Whilst it has been reported on the outside as a barricade situation, they say that is not really apparent to them on the inside, so there is no cause for too much alarm at this time."
Radio reports said about 100 men were involved. They were armed with rifles and wore red arm bands with the flag used by the resistance against Spanish colonial rule. About six security guards of the upscale Rustan`s Department Store shut the doors and fled. The soldiers rigged the doors with explosives.
A group of Marines, wearing white armbands, moved close to the area, but there was no immediate confrontation.
National security adviser Roilo Golez said he hoped for a peaceful resolution. Meanwhile, Australian ambassador to the Philippines has emerged from a high-rise condominium occupied by military rebels.
She appeared drawn as she and about 300 other residents, mostly expatriates, were allowed to leave the Oakwood Tower and other buildings nearby to board five buses to take them to safety.
Asked if she ever felt threatened, she said "no."
An Australian man, identified only as John, said, "There are still a number of us there. But we think all of them will be let out."
Apart from the Australian expatriates, there were French, US and Malaysian nationals among others staying in Oakwood, a popular residential area for foreign diplomats and executives.
Bureau Report
Australian ambassador Ruth Pearce was being held along with a group of Australian Federal Police, Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty said today.
However, she along with 300 other foreign residents have been released. The Australian government would consider sending forces to the Philippines, if Manila asks for help, he said. "Everybody there is calm," he said. "Whilst it has been reported on the outside as a barricade situation, they say that is not really apparent to them on the inside, so there is no cause for too much alarm at this time."
Radio reports said about 100 men were involved. They were armed with rifles and wore red arm bands with the flag used by the resistance against Spanish colonial rule. About six security guards of the upscale Rustan`s Department Store shut the doors and fled. The soldiers rigged the doors with explosives.
A group of Marines, wearing white armbands, moved close to the area, but there was no immediate confrontation.
National security adviser Roilo Golez said he hoped for a peaceful resolution. Meanwhile, Australian ambassador to the Philippines has emerged from a high-rise condominium occupied by military rebels.
She appeared drawn as she and about 300 other residents, mostly expatriates, were allowed to leave the Oakwood Tower and other buildings nearby to board five buses to take them to safety.
Asked if she ever felt threatened, she said "no."
An Australian man, identified only as John, said, "There are still a number of us there. But we think all of them will be let out."
Apart from the Australian expatriates, there were French, US and Malaysian nationals among others staying in Oakwood, a popular residential area for foreign diplomats and executives.
Bureau Report