The Philippine army intelligence chief resigned yesterday following a failed mutiny by junior officers and soldiers demanding military reforms. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo accepted the resignation of Brigadier General Victor Corpus, who said he quit to ease restiveness among soldiers following Sunday's bloodless uprising. About 300 soldiers and officers who took over a ritzy commercial and shopping complex in Manila's financial district had demanded Corpus' resignation. They accused him of incompetence and involvement in a recent deadly bombing to justify more military aid from Washington. The mutineers, being detained and interrogated at military intelligence headquarters, also demanded Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes and National Police chief General Hermogenes Ebdane resign. "The putschists are asking for my resignation. Although I can honestly say that their accusation that I had a hand in the Davao bombing is without basis, I think that it is best for all that I get out of the picture." The mutineers claimed Corpus was in the southern city of Davao when a bomb exploded in a crowded wharf, killing 16 people in April. They said Corpus was either involved or so incompetent he failed to detect and foil the attack. "In chess, when a queen is beleaguered, it is sometimes necessary to sacrifice a knight to save the game. I feel that the restiveness will not calm down with my continued presence," Corpus said. Corpus, a former communist guerrilla leader, became the first military official to step down following Sunday's drama.
| Corpus actually sounds like a real officer. I'd give a lot to know what the true state of affairs is, though... |
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