Philippine military officers held

Manila has downplayed rumours of political instability

Five junior army officers are under arrest in the Philippines for inciting rebellion against the government.

The five were part of a group who appeared on television accusing the government of using the military to spy on opposition politicians.

President Gloria Arroyo's spokesman said the group had been taking part in efforts to destabilise the government.

But the chief of staff said there was no unrest in the Armed Forces in general.

The Armed Forces detained the officers for questioning after a peculiar broadcast on a national television network.

The network showed what appeared to be a group of junior officers, their faces hidden behind a large Philippine flag.

A spokesman for the group accused the government of using the Armed Forces to monitor the movements of opposition candidates in the presidential election due to be held in May.

The spokesman demanded the resignation of Defence Minister Eduardo Ermita.

Mr Ermita denied the accusation of spying and said the Armed Forces remained politically neutral.

Loyal

The BBC correspondent in the capital Manila, John McLean, says the incident has put nerves on edge in the country.

The Philippines has a history of attempts by sections of the Armed Forces to seize power.

In July last year about 300 officers and men mutinied in what the government said was an attempted coup d'etat.

Officials said the latest incident appeared to be part of an effort by the opposition to show the government in a bad light but they said the Armed Forces as a whole were loyal to the state and that there had been no unauthorised military movements.