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- WORLD, Page 47World NotesTHE PHILIPPINESEnrile Is Charged
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- After barely surviving an attempted coup in December,
- President Corazon Aquino promised to take vigorous action
- against her foes. But with the military renegades who vied to
- overthrow her safely underground, she has had trouble finding
- an enemy to get tough with. Last week, however, the President
- squared off against Juan Ponce Enrile, the lone opposition
- member of the Senate and a Defense Minister under Ferdinand
- Marcos. Enrile had been Aquino's nemesis ever since their brief
- political alliance broke up acrimoniously in November 1986. At
- that time, soldiers linked to Enrile had reportedly tried to
- stage a coup against the government.
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- In Manila last week the National Bureau of Investigation
- charged Enrile with rebellion, which carries a penalty of up
- to twelve years. According to the bureau, Enrile was said to
- have been seen with mutineers on the day the December coup
- attempt began. One of those reportedly observed by three
- waiters who were catering a meal at Enrile's suburban
- residence: Gregorio ("Gringo") Honasan, a leader of the
- rebellion and Enrile's erstwhile security chief. The Senator
- has denied the allegations and said the government was
- "clutching at straws." He added, "I welcome the opportunity to
- face up to this problem so we can settle it once and for all."
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