WORLD : Key Leader in Philippine Coup Attempt Seized in Quezon City
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MANILA — Troops early today captured a key leader in last month’s coup attempt, and the military chief said the arrest will severely weaken efforts to launch a new bid to topple the government.
Brig. Gen. Edgardo Abenina, captured outside a house in suburban Quezon City with two other rebel officers, is believed to be the senior officer involved in the Dec. 1-9 coup attempt.
Abenina jumped a fence fleeing the troops but fell and injured a leg, said Brig. Gen. Rodolfo Biazon, chief of the National Capital Region Defense Command. He then surrendered, Biazon said.
Biazon accused Abenina of forming the coalition of soldiers and supporters of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos who led the December attacks, the sixth and bloodiest bid to oust President Corazon Aquino. Abenina is supposed to be a member of the military junta that would have replaced Aquino had the coup succeeded, Biazon said.
At least 113 people were killed and more than 500 injured in the failed coup.
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