Arroyo Gives Philippine Rebels Deadline to Surrender

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, July 27, 2003

Arroyo Gives Philippine Rebels Deadline to Surrender

Philippine President Gloria Arroyo on Sunday warned about 200 military rebels holed up in the Philippines financial district to surrender by 5:00 p.m. (0900 GMT)or face an all-out government assault.

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Philippine President Gloria Arroyo on Sunday warned about 200 military rebels holed up in the Philippines financial district to surrender by 5:00 p.m. (0900 GMT) or face an all-out government assault.

"I am giving you up to five o'clock this afternoon to stand down, surrender your weapons and return to barracks," she said in a nationwide television and radio address.

The soldiers, who wired the Oakwood building near Manila's financial district with explosives but denied they were staging a coup, accused the government of planning to declare martial law to stay in office beyond next May's scheduled election.

"Past this deadline, the Chief of Staff is authorized to use reasonable force to dislodge your group quickly and efficiently, and arrest you. I urge you, in the interest of those who still believe in your cause, to make the right decision now," Arroyo added.

She warned the rebels, estimated by Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes to number about 200, that "your actions are already hovering at the fringes of outright terrorism."

"You will find no support for your actions among our people and the world," she added.

Guests of hotel used as mutiny center evacuated

Guests of the hotel used as mutiny center in the latest coup attempt here were evacuated on Sunday morning.

Four big buses were seen carried away an unidentified number of guests from the Oakwood Tower Hotel in Manila suburb of Makati, a financial center here.

Australian ambassador to the Philippines Ruth Pearce emerged from the high-rise hotel occupied by military rebels after being caught up in the latest coup attempt overnight.

She appeared drawn as she and other residents were allowed to leave the Oakwood.

Explosives had been placed around the building in Manila's financial and shopping district, and negotiations were underway for the release of the foreigners.

Local residents have been discouraged to go to Makati. The rebels demanded the stepping down of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, saying there is no other choice.

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