The assurance came after news reports that Arroyo had allegedly confronted a broadcast journalist over an exclusive interview she had with opposition senator Gregorio Honasan, now in hiding and accused of being the mastermind of the July 27 mutiny.

Reports said the president had berated the reporter and warned her she was "abetting rebellion." The president then allegedly told she had been under surveillance by intelligence operatives who had seen her with Honasan.

But Press Secretary Milton Alingod on Sunday denied the reports, adding that Arroyo herself had met with the reporter's bosses and assured them press freedom would be protected even as security forces go after conspirators of the coup.

"The president explained that the government does not intend to muzzle the media. That's far from the truth," Alingod said over Radio Mindanao Network. "There's nothing to be afraid of."

Alingod said the president merely told the journalist that intelligence operatives had seen her in a chance encounter with Honasan and that there was no intention to put all reporters covering the presidential palace under surveillance.

Government prosecutors have been told to prepare rebellion charges against Honasan in connection with the failed mutiny of more than 300 soldiers who took over a portion of the Makati financial district last month.

The siege ended peacefully 22 hours after it began, with the soldiers returning to barracks and agreeing to face court martial and with the government promising to undertake reforms in the graft-ridden military.

But the government contends that the plot was part of a larger conspiracy to assassinate Arroyo and replace her with a 15-man junta to be led by Honasan, who has denied the allegation but has gone underground.

A former army colonel, Honasan in the 1980s led several coup attempts. He was later amnestied and won a seat in the senate.

Alingod on Sunday reiterated Arroyo's call for Honasan to face the allegations and come out from hiding, adding that government was inclined to "mete justice where justice should be."

WAR.WIRE