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MANILA - A FORMER Philippines lawmaker and a group of mostly retired police and military officers were charged in court on Friday of allegedly plotting to overthrow President Gloria Arroyo, prosecutors said.
Ex-legislator Homobono Adaza and the four other suspects were indicted at a lower court here, said state prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco, who filed the charges.
Police arrested Adaza and the four in a sting operation inside a Manila hotel room on Wednesday after the suspects allegedly tried to blackmail a Japanese businessman for four million dollars to finance the coup.
The justice department is studying the evidence to determine if additional charges of extortion and fraud will be filed against the five, Mr Velasco said in his court deposition.
A fifth officer, who had earlier gone on unauthorised leave after he was set to undergo court-martial over unrelated charges, is being sought by police in connection with the alleged plot against Mrs Arroyo.
Adaza was a prominent opposition figure in the 1980s in the legislature and later served as an immigration commissioner.
In recent years, he has been connected with opposition groups against Arroyo, who has successfully quashed two mutinies by military factions and three impeachment attempts since coming to power in 2001. -- AFP
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