Related: Disgruntled officer arrested in Philippine Marines headquarters
         Disgruntled officers stir unrest in Philippine Marines

    MANILA, Feb. 26 (Xinhuanet) -- The Philippine government called for an emergency meeting of top officials on Sunday evening following the tension that erupted in the Marine Corps headquarters that stemmed from the relief of Marine commandant Maj.Gen. Renato Miranda.

    After the meeting, Presidential Chief of Staff Mike Defensor told reporters at the Presidential Palace that the National Security Council will tackle the incident at the Marine headquarters where a senior officer aired his concern over the removal of Miranda.

    Defensor downplayed the situation at the Marine headquarters. He said the public should not be alarmed since Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Generoso Senga has assured that all military officers and units have been accounted for.

    Asked for a comment regarding the incident inside the military camp, Defensor said that "this shows that the declaration of state of emergency has basis since there are forces needed to be controlled."

    President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was leaving it to the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department of National Defense to resolve the unrest at the Marines, Defensor said.

    He also appealed to the politicians, who reportedly went to Fort Bonifacio not to politicize the event because Arroyo is monitoring the event. Enditem