Philippine police charge 16 over alleged coup plot

Police in the Philippines today filed charges of rebellion against 16 people suspected of plotting to overthrow the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

The suspects “conspired to overthrow the Arroyo government,” according to prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco.

On Friday, Arroyo declared a state of emergency to quash a coup plot by elements within the military and left-wing and right-wing civilian groups.

Among those charged were former opposition Senator Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan, a veteran of past coup attempts in the 1990s and House of Representatives member Crispin Beltran.