Calm in Philippines after Arroyo’s arrest

MANILA, Philippines – It is business as usual in the country and there is no army unrest despite the dramatic arrest of former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and a looming legal battle, Philippine officials said on Sunday.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said there was no sign of unrest within the 120,000-strong military after police placed Arroyo under hospital arrest Friday on charges of elections fraud.

The ex-president once had strong ties to the army.

Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, who oversees the national police, said he saw no need to raise the alert level anywhere in the country.

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said the “people power” revolt that ousted two Philippine leaders in 1986 and 2001was clearly on the side of the current leader, Benigno Aquino III.