Philippines police file coup plot cases against 16

MANILA, Feb 27: The Philippines state prosecutor said today that police had filed cases against 16 people, including soldiers and four leftist members of Congress, over a failed attempt to overthrow President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco told a news conference that, under law, the Congress members could not have immunity because the alleged offences were punishable by prison terms of more than six years.

''We have strong evidence against them. We don't just file cases that will not stand in court,'' he said.

REUTERS