Sunday, November 20, 2011

News Update Calm in Philippines after ex-leader's arrest

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine officials say it's business as usual in the country and there is no army unrest despite the dramatic arrest of former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and a looming legal battle.
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said Sunday that there was no sign of unrest within the 120,000-strong military after police placed Arroyo under hospital arrest Friday on charges of elections fraud. The ex-president once had strong ties to the army.
Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, who oversees the national police, says he sees no need to raise the alert level anywhere in the country.
Budget Secretary Florencio Abad says the "people power" revolt that ousted two Philippine leaders in 1986 and 2001 is clearly on the side of the current leader, Benigno Aquino III.