The Philippine military went on full alert yesterday against possible attempts to destabilize President Gloria Arroyo amid a widening corruption scandal in the armed forces.
A military spokesman said troops were placed on 24-hour standby with all leave canceled because of fears of communist guerrilla attacks, after exiled rebel leaders called for "widespread dissent" against the government.
The Communist Party of the Philippines called for Arroyo's removal through "a popular uprising, a civil disobedience movement, a mass withdrawal of support by political parties and personages, a voluntary resignation of Arroyo, a coup d'etat or any combination thereof".
At least three officers led by Major General Carlos Garcia, the former military comptroller, face possible court-martial for corruption for having unexplained wealth.
The probe was triggered by a tip-off from the US government early this year that Garcia and members of his family had brought nearly US$1 million to the US over 10 years while he was earning about US$7,200 a year.
The Philippines suffered numerous coup attempts in the late 1980s.
Arroyo survived a military revolt last year after taking power in a military-backed popular revolt that ousted president Joseph Estrada in January 2001.
She has ordered the military to launch a court-martial against Garcia by Friday.
On Monday she said the scandal might provoke attempts to destabilize her government by entities other than guerrillas.
"I will deal with these destabilizers with an iron fist, even as I hold out an open hand and open mind for those who are open to a just and dignified reconciliation," she added.
The armed forces have "increased the troops' alert status to Red Alert effective 8:00 am today," military spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Daniel Lucero said in a statement.
"This is to prepare the troops in the light of possible heightened attacks by the communist terrorists," the statement said.
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