Five Philippine soldiers were dismissed Friday and others reinstated after spending nearly two years in jail for allegedly taking part in a plot against President Gloria Arroyo, officials said.
The soldiers were among 40 mainly members of the elite First Scout Ranger accused of planning to take part in an anti-Arroyo street protest in 2006.
The government claims the protest, organised by left-wing groups, was part of a destabilisation plot against Arroyo.
The soldiers were led by General Danilo Lim who was at the centre of last month's failed mutiny when rebel troops stormed a plush hotel in Manila to demand Arroyo resign, before they were forced to surrender just hours later. The five infantrymen were freed Friday and discharged from the military while nine others were returned to their barracks after receiving a reprimand, said Philippine Army spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Ernesto Torres.
"The decision is based on the recommendation of the investigators on the case," Torres told reporters without naming the men.
Twenty-six other soldiers were freed and dismissed from the service in October due to the "preponderance of evidence" they engaged in the protest.
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