Secretary  of  Foreign  Affairs  Blas F. Ople  has  assured  overseas  Filipinos  that  the  situation in the Philippines is well under control and that the constitution and its institutions remain strong.

Foreign  Service  Posts  have  been  instructed  to  keep  the  general  public  informed  on  the  latest developments and to ensure that services remain uninterrupted.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo denounced the attempted mutiny and called upon the rogue elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to surrender themselves to justice.  Should they fail to surrender by 1700hrs today, she has authorized the Armed Forces Chief of Staff to use reasonable force to arrest the perpetrators.

General Emmanuel Teodosio commands the government forces facing the mutineers and is in touch with the mutineers.

The mutinous forces have taken over the Oakwood Tower in Makati and government forces have cordoned-off the area.  The mutineers have announced that they will release all civilians in the area, and a number have already been evacuated.  A number of foreign nationals reside at Oakwood, including members of the diplomatic corps.