Friday, February 24 2006 11:46 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Manila: Philippine President Gloria Arroyo today(Feb 24,2006) proclaimed a state of national emergency and ordered the arrest of key military officers for allegedly leading a plot to topple her Government.

After a cabinet crisis meeting, Arroyo issued an emergency proclamation saying there was a 'tactical alliance'between right-wing and communist forces to bring down democratic rule in the strife-torn Southeast Asian nation.

"The Government has crushed this illegal action," she said in a televised address as all forms of protest were banned in the capital and armed troops protected the presidential palace and military camps.

"As commander-in-chief, I control the situation," Arroyo said.

Key military officers from three of the Philippine military's most battle-hardened elite units the Marines, the Army Scout Rangers and Police Special Action Force were among the officers being rounded up.

Arroyo indicated civilians could be involved.

"We will not overlook those who have been providing support and money to this effort," she said in her address.

The latest political crisis in the Philippines took place on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the February 25, 1986 military uprising that toppled the late martial-law ruler Ferdinand Marcos.

In January 2001, Arroyo, who was then vice president, was sworn in as president following a military revolt against president Joseph Estrada, currently on trial for corruption.