Marine standoff at Fort Bonifacio over (Philippines)

[IndianaGreen]

Marine standoff at Fort Bonifacio over

Restive troops return to barracks

First posted 03:56am (Mla time) Feb 27, 2006
By Alcuin Papa, Dona Z. Pazzibugan, Tarra V. Quismundo, TJ Burgonio
Inquirer

Editor's Note: Published on page A1 of the Feb. 27, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

DISGRUNTLED MARINES yesterday protested the relief of their commander but went back to barracks after a tense six-hour standoff, ending a potentially damaging challenge to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo when their calls for people power went largely ignored.

Former President Corazon Aquino came, but was stopped about a kilometer away by a police barricade at the Marine headquarters in Fort Bonifacio.

Colonel Ariel Querubin, the leader of the protest, said he was acting to protest the relief of Marine commandant Major General Renato Miranda.

The new Marine commandant, Brigadier General Nelson Allaga, announced the end of the standoff, saying “we will follow the chain of command; we will follow the Constitution and the duly constituted authority."

Querubin stood beside his new commandant when the announcement was made.

Later, Querubin said he recognized Allaga as his new commandant.

"We're leaving," he said. “To all those who came here, I thank you very much."

http://news.inq7.net/nation/index.php?index=1&story_id=67674