Philippines arrests ex-general who called for president's ouster

Manila: A former Philippine air force general accused of encouraging the military to abandon President Ferdinand Marcos was arrested on a charge of se...

Manila: A former Philippine air force general accused of encouraging the military to abandon President Ferdinand Marcos was arrested on a charge of sedition Monday at Manila's international airport.

Romeo Poquiz, who had publicly called for the armed forces to "withdraw their support" from Marcos amid a burgeoning corruption scandal, was detained by Philippine national police after returning from a holiday in Thailand, interior department secretary Jonvic Remulla told AFP.

"He was arrested for the charge of sedition in connection (with) his recent statements. He was arrested upon arrival from Bangkok this morning," Remulla said in a text message.

Speaking at a news conference, acting police chief Jose Nartatez said Poquiz had been detained on the basis of a December 5 warrant.

The 67-year-old ex-general confirmed his arrest in a post on Facebook.