State prosecutors said they had found "probable cause" that Ramon Cardenas had allowed his house to be used as a staging point for nearly 300 junior officers and soldiers to mount the mutiny on Sunday aimed at unseating President Gloria Arroyo.

Cardenas' last position under Estrada's administration was as head of the presidential management staff, a cabinet rank. Before that, he was senior deputy executive secretary.

"After careful evaluation of the uncontroverted evidence submitted by the complainant, the undersigned finds that probable cause exists to warrant the indictment of respondent... of the crime of rebellion," the prosecutors said in a resolution.

"Respondent, by allowing rebel military forces who have publicly taken up arms against the government... to use his residence... as a staging point for their rebellious activities, may be considered as a promoter or maintainer of the rebellion."

No bail was recommended for Cardenas, who was arrested by justice department agents on Monday, a day after the rebellion collapsed. He faces between 20 and 40 years in jail if convicted.

Authorities on Monday raided Cardenas' house in the posh Dasmarinas village near the Ayala Center -- which had been seized by the rebels -- and discovered munitions, assault rifles and red arm bands similiar to those worn by the mutinous soldiers.

A similar cache had been discovered during an earlier raid on a house reportedly owned by a mistress of Estrada, who was deposed from power in January 2001.

Estrada, who is under detention while being tried for corruption, has vehemently denied any involvement in the failed mutiny, saying he was being set up as a fall guy.

WAR.WIRE