16 charged with conspiracy to topple Arroyo

A purge of Leftists and soldiers suspected of plotting to topple Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo went into high gear on Monday as police filed cases against 16 people, including a former hero of the 1986 “people power” uprising.

Arroyo appeared on state television, a day after dozens of marines had briefly defied the state of emergency she ordered last Friday on the discovery of plans for a coup.

State Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco said the 16 accused included four Leftist members of Congress and both active and retired soldiers. Police said three of the group had already been arrested.