What's up with OZ Ambassador hostage crisis in Manila?

http://www.msnbc.com/news/944475.asp?vts=072620031900

A related story of military action and talk of a coup, which I think preceded the taking of the Australian ambassador.

Is something going on? Would appreciate any insights to this story, or the hostage story.

Thanks.

Here is what the Australian Broadcasting Corporation website says so far:

(Reuters)

Rogue Filipino soldiers release Australians

Australia's Ambassador to the Philippines, Ruth Pearce, has emerged unscathed from a high-rise building in central Manila, which is being occupied by rebels from the Philippines armed forces.

The rebels have been accused of planning a coup to depose the Government of Gloria Arroyo, and are demanding she step down.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer earlier said Ms Pearce was among 11 Australians, including four Australian Federal Police officers, caught up in the siege.

Ms Pearce came out of the Oakwood hotel along with about 300 residents, mostly expatriates about 11:00am AEST.

It is thought all Australians have now been released from the building.
No threat

The Oakwood complex is home to many international diplomats and other ex-patriots.

Residents had been prevented from leaving the area once the rebels moved in.

However, they were allowed to stay inside their own apartments and were not held at gunpoint.

Ms Pearce told reporters on the scene she did not feel under threat at any point.

She called her family in Melbourne a short time ago to assure them she is okay.

Her sister Jenny says it has been a worrying time, and she is relieved the ordeal appears to be over for her sister.
Stand-off

The armed mutineers, thought to number about 50, are accusing President Gloria Arroyo's administration of corruption.

Earlier, in a statement broadcast on national television, Philippines President Gloria Arroyo said she had ordered security forces to arrest a small band of what she calls rogue junior officers and soldiers.

The rebels then seized the Oakwood complex, wiring it with explosives.

The military have surrounded the area but at a distance, and armed rebels can be seen walking around outside the shopping complex.

No formal communications have taken place between those forces loyal to President Gloria Arroyo and the rebels.
Coup plot

Military officials say supporters of jailed ex-president Joseph Estrada may be behind the coup plot revealed by Ms Arroyo.

The President has not named those behind the plot but warned off what she calls "unscrupulous politicians" who exploit military officers "for their naked ambitions".

The broadcast came after an emergency Cabinet meeting at the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila.

Rumours of a coup plot have been circulating for several days amid complaints from low ranking officers about low pay and corruption among senior military officials.

Mr Estrada is being tried for stealing more than $100 million in high office and still argues that he is the legal president of the Philippines.
Delegation concerns

The Member for Perth, John Hyde, who is travelling with a group of four other Australian politicians in the Philippines says there is tight security at Manila airport.

He says all flights out of the country have been stopped.

Mr Hyde and the Member for Vasse, Bernie Masters, have been travelling the country as part of a delegation on reproductive health.

He says they are about to be briefed on the situation in Manila by consular officials.

"We are due to visit some of the slum projects tomorrow and Tuesday," he said.

"Obviously we'll have to take advice from the embassy regarding wether it is safe for us to stay."

Thanks, deb. Thankful it ended without tragedy.

I hope they can put the coup plot down without violence.

Philippines travel advice revised

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has revised its travel advice for the Philippines in response to a hostage incident.

Hundreds of rebel troops have ended their 19-hour siege of central Manila and returned to barracks.

Eleven Australians, including Australian ambassador Ruth Pearce, were held hostage during the mutiny.

Australians are now advised to avoid the Makati district and to monitor media reports closely, while exercising particular caution in the Philippines capital, Manila.

The department says threats against Australians and Australian interests in the Philippines are high.

As part of its general advice, the department says it is continuing to receive reports that terrorist groups in the region are planning attacks.

Labor's foreign affairs spokesman, Kevin Rudd, has told Channel Seven the Federal Govenrment should heed the advice of Singapore-based researcher Rohan Gunaratna, who recommends further efforts to stabilise the region.

"What he said is that it would be good to get together with the governments of the region at head of government level to have a regional summit on terrorism to get the cooperation happening at the ground level," Mr Rudd said.

Last Update: Monday, July 28, 2003. 7:52am (AEST)


Gloria Arroyo: No damage to national security or political stability. (ABC TV)

Arroyo downplays mutiny damage

Philippines President Gloria Arroyo has moved to limit the damage of yesterday's mutiny by rogue officers, saying it had no effect on her country's security or stability.

After a tense stand-off and lengthy negotiations, nearly 300 disgruntled officers left the Manila complex they had occupied and wired with explosives.

Eleven Australians, including Australian ambassador Ruth Pearce, were held hostage during the mutiny.

Investigations into the incident will begin today, with the officers to receive military justice.

Ms Arroyo has played down any broader significance of the incident.

"I assure the world that this event does not in any way injure our national security and political stability," she said.

"The issues involved are domestic, operational, or administrative. They do not involve ideological or fundamental policy areas.

"Our decision to enter a dialogue reaped positive results. Once more this has been a triumph for democracy."

The disgruntled troops accused the Government of corruption and colluding with rebels.

They have begun dismantling what appear to be explosive devices they placed around a residential and office building in the centre of the capital.

The troops had denied they were staging a coup and eventually dropped demands for President Arroyo to quit.

Ms Arroyo said the crisis was over and the 296 mutineers, including 70 junior officers, would face court martial proceedings.

"Civilians shown to be involved in any conspiracy will be prosecuted," she said.

But economists have warned share prices and the Philippine peso are likely to plummet when financial markets open today.

"This incident will certainly have a negative effect on our economy," Trade Secretary Manuel Roxas said.

"Even now, the business sector is reeling in a state of shock."