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Philippine marine chief sacked amid coup rumors+(Japan Economic Newswire Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)MANILA, Feb. 26_(Kyodo) _ The commander of the Philippines' marines has been removed from his post as the government continues its clampdown against "military adventurists" suspected of plotting with opposition forces to oust President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, a military spokesman said Sunday. Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda, so far the most senior officer tied to the alleged plot, was replaced by his deputy, Brig. Gen. Nelson Allaga, marines spokesman Maj. Melquiades Ordiales said. Military spokesman Lt. Col. Tristan Kison said Miranda asked to be relieved of command for personal reasons, adding that Miranda was not implicated in the coup plot. Ordiales declined to comment on whether the move was directly linked to Friday's foiled coup, saying senior officials in the Philippine Marine Corps are still discussing the issue. On Friday, Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim was relieved of his army post and confined to his quarters in a military camp for his alleged links to the coup attempt. An investigation was also launched against Col. Ariel Querubin, commander of a marine brigade in the southern Philippines. A crackdown is ongoing against military and police officials and prominent critics believed to be involved in the coup plot. Arroyo survived an impeachment bid in Congress last year, a short-lived mutiny by junior officers in 2003 and a massive protest in 2001. She has also weathered allegations of electoral fraud in the 2004 president election five years since being installed by a popular uprising that toppled President Joseph Estrada in 2001. |