Prosecutors filed rebellion charges yesterday against 37 dissident military officers and their supporters -- including a former vice president -- for a failed attempt to trigger an anti-government uprising while seizing a five-star hotel.
The seven-hour standoff was led by 14 officers who walked out of their trial on Thursday on earlier insurrection charges and immediately commandeered the Peninsula Hotel in Manila. They surrendered after government forces drove an armored carrier through the front entrance and fired tear gas and warning shots.
State prosecutors formally charged the suspects, led by Senator Antonio Trillanes, with rebellion after evaluating evidence, including seized weapons and plans allegedly indicating a wider plot to launch a "people power" revolt, a Justice Department resolution said.
Apart from Trillanes, a former navy lieutenant charged with a similar failed power grab in 2003, the former vice president and an opposition activist, Teofisto Guingona, and a retired Roman Catholic bishop were among those who are facing trial.
Guingona, the frail 79-year-old politician who had fallen out with Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo years ago, was hospitalized due to an unspecified ailment following his arrest after last week's raid.
Retired Bishop Julio Labayen, an outspoken critic of Arroyo, also was released into custody of a fellow bishop.
Police said they were still hunting for at least four officers who escaped after taking over the hotel, including marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon, who has been implicated in past coup attempts.
The government has put up a 1 million peso (US$23,250) reward for information leading to Faeldon's capture.
Arroyo survived three previous coup attempts and three opposition impeachment bids over alleged corruption and human rights abuses during her seven tumultuous years in power.
Before embarking on an eight-day visit to Europe on Saturday, Arroyo called the rebel soldiers desperate "lone wolves" who are blind to the people's wishes, and said government institutions and civil society are strong and stable. Arroyo planned to visit Spain, France and Britain.
During the hotel takeover, US-trained Brigadier General Danilo Lim -- suspected of involvement in another failed coup plot last year -- issued a statement urging Arroyo to resign and asking the armed forces to withdraw support for her.
But their disaffection failed to create a flashpoint for people to flood the streets against Arroyo.
Analysts spoke of a "people power" fatigue, and the fact the events were remarkably similar to four years ago, when the same officers tried the same tactic at another upscale hotel a few blocks away from the Peninsula -- only to give up after a day.
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