September 4, 2003	Thursday	Rajab 6, 1424

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MANILA, Sept 3: Remnants of a failed July coup attempt are attempting to bribe military officials into joining a new plot against the Philippine government, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and top aides warned on Wednesday.

“Attempts to buy loyalty in the armed forces have been monitored, combined with efforts to manipulate the media and project instability,” Arroyo said in a speech to civil servants on her return from a visit to Brunei.

National Security Adviser Roilo Golez linked the insurgents to unnamed civilian conspirators in a failed military mutiny July 27.

“They have failed so far in renewing their recruitment in the military,” he told reporters.

More than 300 soldiers were arrested after they occupied part of Manila’s financial district of Makati as part of what the government describes as a larger plot to assassinate Arroyo and replace her with a 15-member military junta.

Arroyo has also asked state prosecutors to charge opposition Senator Gregorio Honasan for masterminding the rebellion as well as certain members of the family of deposed president Joseph Estrada for allegedly providing material support.—AFP