MANILA, March 9 (Xinhuanet) -- Philippine Army Chief Hermogenes Esperon Jr. confirmed Thursday that more officers from one of their elite troops have been detained for involvement in a coup plot to unseat President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

    "We are investigating several officers from the First Scout Ranger (FSRR) Regiment, in addition to the investigation that we have conducted on Brig Gen. Danilo Lim and a former officer of the scout rangers, Major Jason Aquino," Lieutenant General Esperon told a press conference at the Army's headquarters.

    In two to three days, the officers' names would be announced pubic and they would be formally prosecuted before a court martial, Esperon said, adding that he would be prudent to name the coup plotters to avoid mistakes.

    Esperon also refused to say how many were being investigated, but said the group included two lieutenant colonels. He only identified one of them as Lieutenant Colonel Nestor Flordeliza, who was also relieved as FSRR chief of staff.

    He also confirmed that Captain Ruben Guinolbay, also from the FSRR, was among those who have been detained by the Army.

    The Army Chief was unwilling to discuss in detail Guinolbay and Flrodeliza's involvement in the foiled coup.

    Earlier reports said that eight middle-level and junior officers and 17 enlisted men, except one not from the FSRR, were held for investigation over the foiled coup.

    The commander of the FSRR, Danilo Lim was relieved for allegedly planning to join anti-government marches on Feb. 24.

    Last week, the Army also took into custody Jason Aquino for allegedly recruiting soldiers for destabilization. Aquino was relieved as operations officer of the FSRR in July last year for distributing pamphlet with seditious content. Enditem