However Colonel Daniel Lucero said vital reforms to address the complaints that prompted the mutiny are now being implemented although some of the reforms still require legislative action.

About 300 soldiers, led by junior officers stormed the Makati financial district on July 27, 2003, barricading themselves behind explosives and snipers in the luxurious Oakwood apartment complex in support of calls for the resignation of Arroyo and then defense secretary Angelo Reyes.

They surrendered after holding out for 22 hours. The government has alleged the mutiny was part of a larger plot to assassinate Arroyo and replace her with a 15-member military junta.

In an attempt to mollify restive sectors in the military, Reyes and other senior officials later resigned from their posts.

Lucero said of the 499 soldiers initially linked to the incident 160 had been released from detention after being cleared.

The 31 alleged ringleaders are facing charges in both civil and military courts including the charge of attempted coup. However the proceedings against them have been stalled by their petition questioning the jurisdiction of the civil courts over them.

Another 289 soldiers are facing court martial but Lucero said their lawyers were "adopting a delaying tactic," allowing the accused to challenge the composition of the military court.

Lucero said 154 of the soldiers had adopted this challenge, as a result, "we had to revise the composition of our court martial 154 times so we believe this approach has been delaying our proceedings."

Another 19 soldiers are still facing pre-trial investigation before the Justice Department, he added.

Lucero also said the government was already acting on the mutineers complaints which allegedly motivated their actions such as constructing more housing and upgrading medical facilities for soldiers.

Measures were also being taken to reduce corruption in the military procurement system, Lucero said.

Some of the reforms were still awaiting congressional action, Lucero said such as the creation of a new military insurance system and a pay raise for soldiers.

Lucero also said the government had taken steps to inform the soldiers of these reforms as many of them were already being prepared even before the mutiny.

"Definitely we won't be able to satisfy our soldiers 100 percent but we are constantly telling them other government agencies also need funds," he said.

WAR.WIRE