MANILA, Feb. 26 (Xinhuanet) -- A senior Philippine officer was taken into military custody on Sunday evening after he led soldiers to show up at the Marine Corps headquarters in protest ofthe relief of Marine commandant Renato Miranda earlier.

    Miranda's replacement, Brigadier General Nelson Allaga as new Marines Commandant ordered to take Marines Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Querubin into custody, as he told donzens of reporters that the situation at their headquarters is an "internal matter" of the Marines.

    Querubin arrived at the Barracks in Fort Bonifacio, the Marine Corps Headquarters on Sunday afternoon with a platoon of Marines in full battle gear, two hours after the Armed Forces of the Philippines relieved Marine commandant Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda of his command.

    "We want to show our anger. Why was our commander relieved," the officer demanded before his arrest.

    "I will wait for the people to come here and protect us from aggression," Querubin told ANC television at Fort Bonifacio. When asked about the alleged threats of aggression, Querubin said, "I don't know, but I expect that to happen."

    Some civilian sympathizers of Querubin were crowded at the headquarters, begging for his release, but they were separated by the disperse troop of the Navy from the Marines led by Querubin.

    The Marine soldiers were soon subdued to higher command and calmed down after Querubin was arrested.

    The Marine Lieutenant Colonel was implicated in the alleged foiled plot to unseat President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, according to himself.

    Querubin also confirmed that he planned to join street protests on Friday and that he planned to bring along a "majority" of the 400-strong Marine officer corps.

    Querubin said he would join protests so that efforts to oust President Arroyo "will not turn bloody." Miranda tried to dissuade them from doing so, he said, adding "We were prevailed upon by General Miranda. Enditem