Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Friday declared a state of emergency following an alleged coup attempt against her administration.

Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye said Arroyo signed Proclamation No. 1017 for the declaration of a State of National Emergency.

"I am declaring a state of emergency because of the clear threat to the nation," Arroyo said in a taped, nationally televised statement.

"This is my warning against those who threaten the government: the whole weight of the law will fall on your treason," Arroyo said, adding that the situation was under control.

In the declaration, Arroyo invoked Section 18, Article 7 of the Constitution that allows the President to call on the armed forces to prevent or suppress rebellion.

Arroyo said that over the past months, "elements in the political opposition had conspired with authoritarians of the extreme Left represented by the NDF-CPP-NPA (National Democratic Front-Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army) and the extreme Right, represented by military adventurists -- the historical enemies of the democratic Philippine State -- who are now in a tactical alliance and engaged in a concerted and systematic conspiracy, over a broad front, to bring down the duly constituted government elected in May 2004."

Arroyo also noted that "the claims of these elements have been recklessly magnified by certain segments of the national media."

Arroyo said these series of actions were hurting the country "by obstructing governance, including hindering the growth of the economy and sabotaging the people's confidence in government."

Earlier on Friday, Presidential Chief of Staff Michael Defensor said authorities were hunting down eight to 10 civilians and military officers allegedly linked to the coup plot, including their financiers.

Defensor also said all permits to carry firearms issued to civilians nationwide have been canceled.
 
Emergency rule -- which allows arrests without warrants and an extension of detention without charge -- is a very sensitive issue in the Philippines after nine years of martial law under late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

(Xinhua News Agency February 24, 2006)