Shots fired as pro-Arroyo troops begin assault at hotel

Shots were fired as fully armed pro-government troops began their assault on the Manila Peninsula Hotel to serve the court-issued arrest warrants against Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim. Government soldiers, backed by armored personnel carrier, also were seen taking combat positions outside the hotel. Some were also seen going into the hotel premises. GMA reported that government soldiers have started securing all the possible exit points at the hotel. Earlier, police Dir. Geary Barias gave Trillanes and Lim until 3 p.m. to surrender. He said government troops were prepared to take appropriate action against Trillanes and Lim who are backed by armed Magdalo soldiers. Police has earlier ordered guests and hotel personnel to evacuate the building in case the serving of the arrest warrants become “harsh." Both Trillanes and Lim had rejected appeals for them to surrender peacefully, and even reiterated their call for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to step down. - GMANews.TV