The Philippine government will set up an independent commission to investigate the weekend mutiny by a group of renegade soldiers, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said today.
She also ordered an independent investigation into a bombing in the Muslim south, an attack the soldiers accused the government of rigging to ensure the support of the United States.
Ms Arroyo said the weekend mutiny was unfortunate, ill-conceived and carried out by misguided officers.
"Such actions are deplorable and will be met with the full force of the law, including the political component," she added, in the address, which was broadcast live on national television.
Almost 300 soldiers took part in the mutiny, demanding the resignation of Ms Arroyo and other senior officials for what they said was pervasive corruption, collusion with Muslim rebels and planning to impose martial law to avoid a 2004 presidential election. They surrendered without firing a shot late on Sunday night.
Today, police arrested an aide of former president Joseph Estrada after they found the red armbands used by the renegades, arms and ammunition in a raid on his home. They said the role of a senator in the mutiny was also being investigated.