[JURIST] Philippine authorities have taken 50 military officers and supporters into custody following Thursday's attempted overthrow [JURIST report] of Philippine President Gloria Arroyo [official website; BBC profile]. About a dozen officers on trial in the Philippines [JURIST news archive] in connection with a failed 2003 mutiny [BBC report] Thursday walked out of court, took control of a Manila hotel, and demanded Arroyo's resignation. Philippine military and police forces subsequently regained control of the hotel after a lengthy confrontation. Authorities arrested about 100 military officers and civilian sympathizers, including former Vice President Teofisto Guingona [official profile], but only 50 remained in custody Friday. Philippine police are still searching for other suspects, including rebel leader Captain Nicanor Faeldon. AP has more. The New York Times has additional coverage.

In April, a Philippine military tribunal sentenced 54 military officers [JURIST report] to seven years and six months in prison for their involvement in the 2003 coup attempt. Charges were later dismissed [JURIST report] in October against four additional military officers connected to the same mutiny.