MANILA, March 9 (Xinhuanet) -- The Philippine government insisted on Thursday that senior Army officer Danilo Lim was involved in the foiled coup against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, saying a video record from local TV station would be the proof.

    Referring to local television station ABC Channel 5 that got a video of Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim withdrawing support for President Arroyo, Presidential Chief of Staff Michael Defensor said that Lim's interview with a news director on the night of Feb. 23 could prove the time when his planned coup was to be staged.

    "I am wondering why General Danny Lim is denying (his participation). I think ABC 5 will be very critical to this investigation and the presentation of evidence," Defensor said.

    Some ABC 5 insiders confirmed the interview but Defensor said they could not secure a copy of the video yet as evidence against Lim. The interview was no longer aired.

    Defensor said various sources confirmed Lim's interview with ABC 5 and this would support the charges against the Army general for trying to overthrow the government.

    Lim denied his participation in the coup plot as well as his alleged conspiracy with militant rebels of the New People's Army to topple the president. He also said he never tried to convince military chief Generoso Senga to withdraw his support for the president.

    Lim was relieved as commander of the Army's elite Scout Ranger Regiment and detained while under investigation for allegedly leading a coup.

    A number of military officers and police officials are facing rebellion and coup charges following Arroyo's declaration of a state of national emergency on Feb. 24. Enditem