Arroyo, the commander-in-chief of the military, has accused more than 300 junior officers and men of mounting a coup attempt during their brief takeover of part of Manila's Makati financial district.

The armed forces inspector-general has recommended that 108 officers and 45 enlisted men face court-martial, on top of rebellion charges already filed against the entire group who surrendered peacefully within 24 hours of seizing Makati.

"The court martial is about to start in tandem with civil court proceedings against the leaders of the conspiracy," Arroyo said in a statement. Mutiny and rebellion are both punishable by life in prison.

"We will mop up the virus of destabilization in the armed forces not by witch-hunting but by the force of justice and reforms."

Six of the junior officers accused of leading the rebellion meanwhile showed up in court on Monday in a habeas corpus hearing.

The Supreme Court last week ordered the military to produce the six suspects and explain the basis for their detention.

Later Monday, state prosecutors are scheduled to hold a separate hearing to receive a deposition by opposition Senator Gregorio Honasan, who has gone in hiding after the government accused him of masterminding the mutiny.

It was unclear whether Honasan, a former coup leader who was pardoned in 1995, would show up at the justice department hearing. The process would determine whether there is enough evidence to elevate the government complaint to court.

Arroyo on Monday repeated her calls for Honasan to show up.

"It is the supreme irony for a duly-elected senator to refuse to face the bar of justice. This is a violation of both his electoral mandate and his oath. Senator Honasan must not insult his peers by hiding from them," she said in a statement.

WAR.WIRE