Philippine plotters back in court

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One thousand soldiers lined the streets around a court in the Philippine capital as leaders of last month's failed mutiny returned to the dock.

The men were handcuffed to police as they entered the court in Manila's Makati financial district.

Last month the group, on trial for a separate failed mutiny in 2003, walked out of court and seized control of part of the Peninsula Hotel.

They surrendered after a six-hour siege when troops stormed the building.

'No repeat'

It was the first time the men had returned to court since storming out on 29 November to meet supporters and commandeer the five-star hotel.

Roads around the court were blocked and the hearing was closed to the media.

National Police chief Avelino Razon said that last month's events would not be repeated.

"All their close-in escorts have been replaced," he said. "Each accused will have his own escort and we have placed additional contingency troops to secure them and make sure there is no escape."

The men are on trial for the Oakwood mutiny in July 2003 in which almost 300 soldiers seized a shopping mall in the capital before surrendering.

During last month's mutiny, they called for President Gloria Arroyo to step down, calling her presidency "unconstitutional and illegal".

They surrendered when government forces drove an armoured carrier into the hotel and fired tear gas and warning shots. There were no injuries.

Prosecutors have charged 36 people with trying to stage a rebellion and officials say an investigation is under way into how the men managed to walk out of court.