The Philippine army has deployed extra troops and armour around the presidential palace in Manila as it hunts for “rogue” officers suspected of plotting a coup. In a statement broadcast nationally, President Gloria Arroyo did not identify the officers, but described them as “fugitives from justice”. Armed forces chief of staff General Narciso Abaya declared his full support for the president and said his men were hunting down 10 junior officers and between 40 and 50 armed soldiers who had deserted. Recently some junior officers have been complaining publicly about low pay for the ranks and corruption among the top brass. Mrs Arroyo says she has been listening to their complaints. But this fed rumours of an impending coup d’etat, the BBC’s John McLean reports from Manila. Full Story