Manila, Sept 03: Philippine military chief of staff Gen. Narciso Abaya today ordered the release of 47 junior officers who were linked to a July mutiny against the government, and denied rumors that five top generals had resigned. Abaya warned that anyone spreading the rumors would be regarded as a "threat group out to undermine the government and duly-constituted authority".
On July 27, about 300 soldiers led by young captains from the Army, Marines and Navy special forces occupied an upscale apartment and shopping complex and rigged the area with bombs. The mutineers announced they were breaking away from the chain of command and accused the government of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of corruption. They demanded the resignation of the President, along with then Defence Secretary Angelo Reyes and then military intelligence chief Brig. Gen. Victor Corpus.
The mutineers accused Reyes and Corpus of masterminding a bombing in the southern Philippines to get more anti-terrorist funding from the United States. Reyes and Corpus denied the charge. The mutineers surrendered after a 19-hour standoff.
Abaya said the 47 junior military officers were misled by the ringleaders of the mutiny, which the government said was part of a larger conspiracy to overthrow Arroyo and install a 15-member junta. Bureau Report