The New Nation - Internet Edition

Reuters, Manila

About 1,000 soldiers were brought to the Philippine capital on Friday amid reports of a plot to destabilize the government of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo due to a brewing political scandal, the military chief said. General Hermogenes Esperon said six junior officers were under inquiry for allegedly recruiting troops to help a group of ex-soldiers seize political power. "We needed these extra troops just in case," Esperon told reporters. "As we have said, there are atempts, we want to be on the safe side. We want to have the forces available here with us." The Philippine military has been instrumental in the overthrow of two presidents since 1986 and Arroyo, who was propelled to power after an army-backed uprising in 2001, survived a coup atempt in 2003. The military has said allegations of kickbacks in a state deal with a Chinese telecommunications company have encouraged anti-Arroyo groups to stir up trouble among troops.