MANILA, Philippines, April 25 (UPI) -- The Philippines has filed rebellion charges against 49 people, including six lawmakers, in connection with a plot to topple the government.
The list of those charged reflects earlier warnings by military and intelligence agents that the conspiracy discovered earlier this year was the result of an alliance between rightist military personnel and leftists, including members of the Communist Party and its New People's Army.
"After a careful evaluation of the evidence on record, we find probable cause to charge respondents for the crime of rebellion," the Manila Bulletin on Tuesday quoted a document from a Department of Justice panel.
"Evidence reveals the existence of conspiracy ... in the continuous commission of rebellion."
Among those charged were former Sen. Gregorio Honasan, who once headed a right-wing military group and six members of the House of Representatives whose party-list organizations are believed Communist Party fronts.
The DOJ panel said there was reason to believe the lawmakers were using House of Representatives' facilities and finances as part of the plot against the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who is under fire for alleged election fraud.
The charges were the result of a complaint filed earlier with the DOJ by the Philippine National Police Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management.
A plot to topple Arroyo had been rumored for months. Earlier this year a series of arrests were made. Documents seized in ongoing raids eventually brought to light the alliance of convenience between leftists and rightists.
