Marines colonel urges Filipinos to protect officers implicated in a foiled coup plot

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(26 Feb 2006)
1. Wide exterior of marines headquarters
2. Close up of sign on building reading "Headquarters Philippines Marine Corps"
3. Wide of marine battalion
4. Marine security at gate
5. Various of marines
6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Ariel Querubin, Marine Colonel:
"We just want people to support us. (Off screen question from reporter: For what?) For our beleaguered commandant, for the marines. If you want to support your marines, the protector of people and the state, then please come."
7. Marines marching
8. Group of marines standing
9. Pan up from close up of rifle to marine
10. Group of marines standing
11. Civilians watching from behind fence
12. Wide of army jeep and tank driving
13. Cutaway of civilian onlookers
14. Wide of tanks driving
STORYLINE
A marines colonel on Sunday urged Filipinos to turn out en masse to protect officers implicated in a foiled coup plot after the head of the elite unit was relieved of duties.
It was a clear sign that efforts to oust President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo remained alive two days after she imposed a state of emergency, saying the takeover plan had been quashed but that "treasonous" elements remained.
Marine Colonel Ariel Querubin, named by the military on Friday as a key figure in plans by marine officers and their troops to withdraw support for Arroyo, said on Sunday "If you want to support your marines, the protector of people and the state, then please come."
Several left-wing protest leaders rushed to the marine camp in suburban Manila to show their support, even though the state of emergency bans public rallies.
Three armoured personnel carriers, a tank and some 300 marines also arrived and went inside before the gates were closed. It was unclear where their loyalties lay.
Several dozen riot police took up positions outside the camp and sealed off a road leading to it.
The marines were widely rumoured to have been among military units involved in the coup plot.
The military said on Friday it nipped the plan in the bud before it could be launched.
Major General Renato Miranda was relieved as commandant of the marines.
Military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Tristan Kison said Miranda asked to be relieved of duties, citing personal reasons. Other reports suggested he had been forced out.
Colonel Querubin said he was joining Miranda in a show of support.
The 8,000-strong marines are regarded as an elite, well-armed unit at the front line of the government's war against Muslim and communist guerrillas and al-Qaida-linked militants in the country's volatile south.
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