MANILA -- A court yesterday issued an arrest warrant for ex-senator Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan, who is facing charges over an alleged plot to overthrow President Gloria Arroyo.

Honasan, a charismatic former army colonel, is among 16 people facing charges over the plot, which led Arroyo last Friday to declare a state of emergency.

The warrant covers last week's alleged plot as well as Honasan's alleged involvement in a failed 2003 uprising, when about 300 junior officers and their men took over a luxury apartment-hotel in Manila's Makati financial center.

Arroyo quashed the rebellion in less than 24 hours, but charges against Honasan were dropped in keeping with the government's reconciliation policy.

Six of Honasan's associates are also sought on warrants issued Wednesday.

Honasan has denied involvement in the 2003 uprising. In the past he has called on Arroyo to resign and proposed her replacement by a transitional government of military and civilians.

He is currently at large and has been out of the public eye since Arroyo declared the state of emergency.

A product of the elite Philippine Military Academy, Honasan was involved in various coup plots -- some of them bloody -- during the 1980s.

He was jailed briefly, but escaped from a prison boat off Manila bay, was pardoned and successfully won a senate seat in the 1990s.

Honasan once described himself as "resident adviser on failed coup attempts" and officials say he retains some following among the military ranks.*AFP

back to top