Arroyo warns future plotters

Manila: President Gloria Arroyo issued a new warning to coup plotters, saying she would not hesitate to use emergency powers again to fight groups seeking her removal.

"I am monitoring events and I will not hesitate to do what needs to be done to uphold the law," Arroyo said in a radio interview that was aired nationwide.

"I also believe that we should stop people who abuse their freedoms and install groups that will one day destroy those very freedoms, the communists who conspire with the extreme right," Arroyo explained.

"I am not withdrawing my call for unity, but I will not use up all my time and energy for that because I need to also pay attention to the economy," Arroyo said sternly.

She added that she had wanted to work with her political opponents, but would not waste time waiting because of their lack of response.

It is an indication that she will no longer pursue peace talks with opposition leaders, which began in 2001, with the ouster of former president Joseph Estrada; the communist National Democratic Front, which began in 1992, and the right wing rebel soldiers, which began after the failed mutiny of young officers in Makati City in 2003.

"I am a strong believer in democratic principles," Arroyo said, adding that she could understand criticism but could not forgive seditious acts. Arroyo also praised the media, adding that they had become more responsible.

Indirectly, she criticised the media men and women who did not know the difference between "fiscalising journalism and sedition".

Confidence

Wearing a red dress, Arroyo exuded confidence and assurance as she told her interviewer, "That culture of responsible journalism is probably why you are number one now."

Explaining that the emergency decree did not destroy Philippine democracy, Arroyo said that her survival enhanced the country's democratic institutions.

Arroyo said she faced a real threat from communist rebels, "misguided" soldiers, opposition politicians, allegedly led by former presidents Joseph Estrada and Corazon Aquino, and their allies in the business sector.

Arroyo withdrew the emergency last Friday, with her advisers saying that she has quelled the coalition of destabilisers.

Leftist groups led by five leftist lawmakers who dodged arrest by staying at the House of Representatives said they would not be cowed and vowed to continue protests rallies against Arroyo whom they accused of alleged corruption and election fraud.

Military

Ex-Ranger operations chief detained

The former operations chief of the Army's elite Scout Ranger Regiment was detained for his alleged participation in the failed coup plot against President Gloria Arroyo on February 24, a military spokesman said.

Major Jason Aquino, who was relieved of his post last July, was the first to be reprimanded for alleged destabilisation, said Major Bartolome Bacarro, spokesman of the Philippine Army.

His ouster from his post was not announced because of pending investigations of the plot against the president, said Bacarro.

He was detained on Monday for "recruiting senior officers," said Bacarro.

Earlier, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said that President Arroyo would pursue talks with top and middle ranking military men.

Bunye did not give the date of the scheduled dialogue, but added that it would be Arroyo's top priority.