THE PHILIPPINES: Philippine security forces ended a short-lived siege at Manila airport late yesterday by killing a former aviation chief and one of his men who took over the control tower, airport officials and police said.
While the incident appeared to be a personal protest against corruption, the takeover of the tower at the country's busiest airport sparked fears of a repeat of an attempted coup in July.
Police were put on nationwide high alert. Fire trucks blocked the gates of Philippine National Police headquarters and security was tightened at the main armed forces camp in Manila.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo vowed to put down any new destabilisation plots while a row raged over an attempt by opposition politicians to impeach the nation's top judge. The crisis over the possible removal of Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide has raised tensions ahead of elections in May.
Police officials said the tower had to be stormed because there was a flight from the US due to land before dawn. - (Reuters)