A Philippine army chief says the military has detained suspects allegedly involved in a plan to overthrow the government.
The army commander Lieutenant-General Hermogenes Esperon said Wednesday the military has obtained a list of several names of people believed to be behind the planned coup.
The Philippine government said last week it had contained the plot to overthrow President Gloria Arroyo.
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales said he and Ms. Arroyo were targets for assassination.
Officials say former military and government officials were behind the plot.
Political unrest is frequent in the Philippines and there have been several coup attempts over the past 20 years.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP .