Philippine coup leaders want out-of-court deal

MANILA, June 6 (Reuters) Lawyers for 27 army officers who led a failed coup attempt against Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2003 asked a military tribunal today to suspend the trial because the soldiers wanted an out-of-court deal.

Only two officers, including Antonio Trillanes who ran for a seat in the upper house of Congress, were not willing to enter into a plea bargaining agreement to settle the charges of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman.

''I would believe that they're seeing this agreement as a practical reason to end detention,'' said Ed Abaya, lawyer for most of the accused soldiers, including Trillanes.

''They have been under detention for almost four years and they wanted to be reunited with their families. This is a bailable offence.'' All 29 officers and two enlisted personnel are facing coup charges before a civilian court at Manila's financial district for their role in the 24-hour takeover of a commercial centre to force Arroyo to step down.

Some of the young officers said they were prepared to be separated dishonourably from the military and find new careers in the civilian sector.

''Many of my classmates wanted to move on,'' an army captain who declined to be named, told Reuters, adding they were ready to accept any punishment to get over with their cases as soon as possible.

''We've lost so much time while in jail and we could have find jobs elsewhere to feed our family.'' Last month, at least 54 officers were freed after entering into a similar plea bargain agreement. Since 2004, hundreds of ordinary troops had been reinstated into service after cutting deals with the military brass.

About 30 soldiers, including two top army generals, face mutiny charges for a separate coup plot against Arroyo in February 2006.

Arroyo, first propelled to power in a military-backed revolt in 2001, remains unpopular due to allegations of vote-rigging and fraud.

Reuters KN DB1824