Escorted by military police, who apparently did not prevent them from leaving the court, the defendants marched to the Peninsula, pushed away guards at the entrance, and set up a command center in a second-floor function room.
They were joined by Brigadier General Danilo Lim -- suspected of involvement in another failed coup plot last year -- along with dozens of sympathizers within the military and leaders of leftist and opposition groups.
Lim issued a statement urging Arroyo to resign and asking the armed forces to withdraw support for her.
After agreeing to surrender, Trillanes said he was convinced that other officers in the military are fed up with government corruption and won't stay quiet.



