321 Philippine Mutineers Formally Charged with Rebellion

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, August 01, 2003

321 Philippine Mutineers Formally Charged with Rebellion

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The Philippine Department of JusticeFriday filed before the Makati regional trial court coup d'etat charges against the 321 officers and enlisted personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) who staged a mutiny here on Sunday.

No bail was recommended for the 321 persons who were charged under the Revised Penal Code articles.

"Beyond doubt, respondents who are officers and enlisted men ofthe AFP launched a swift attack against the government by taking control of the Ayala Center, Makati City, specifically its OakwoodPremier Hotel and the vicinity thereof, by any means of stealth, strategy, force, intimidation and threat," the department said in its 11-page resolution.

By seizing Oakwood, the department said, the rebel soldiers showed open hostility to the government with the aim of toppling it and remove allegiance from the AFP and the Philippine National Police.

Under the articles, these mutineers could suffer the penalty of12 years to 40 years in prison, according to their role in the mutiny.

Similar charges were being filed against Ramon Cardenas, an ex-aide to deposed president Joseph Estrada, who was arrested at his home on Monday. Police said Cardenas' home was used by the soldiers as a staging point.

The authorities have raided two other houses used by the mutineers, and are looking for several more suspected hideouts.

Some 300 rebel soldiers occupied a condominium building at Makati business district, demanding the resignation of Arroyo and other top government and military officials for alleged corruption but surrendered after a 22-hour siege on Sunday.

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321 Mutineers to be Charged with Rebellion

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