Yellow tape ringed what was left of the bullet-marked entrance of Manila’s finest hotel hours after troops rammed armoured personnel carriers through its glass doors to suppress an attempted coup.

Peninsula Hotel spokesman Mariano Andres Garchitorena conceded the establishment would be forced to close until December 8 to deal with the “substantial” damage caused by the previous day’s armed siege.

But he insisted the hotel would bounce back from the bizarre chain of events when a wedding ceremony at the hotel was interrupted by armed gunmen seizing the lobby and calling for President Gloria Arroyo to step down.

“The Peninsula has been around for 31 years, it’s a little hiccup along the way,” he said.
“The biggest problem right now is getting the hotel ready for business,” he said, predicting loyal customers would soon return and stressing that all the rebels had now been flushed out of the hotel. 

The ornate lobby, with its comfortable lounges and fine linen dinner settings, was one of Manila’s main meeting places for business executives, diplomats and those who just wanted to be seen.

Burly security staff in blue blazers and uniforms guarded the premises, some armed with shot guns, while police ushered guests through the security cordon to claim their belongings.
Built in 1976 as a symbol of the Philippine economy to coincide with Manila’s hosting of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) conference, the Peninsula has over the years been the favourite of the country’s elite.

It is known as the “jewel” of Manila’s hotel circuit. Over the years it has served politicians, power brokers and socialites and is best known for its high standard of service.

Last Thursday, however, it became the scene of a failed revolt by a small group of rebel soldiers on trial for a 2003 mutiny who smashed through a side door and laid siege to the building for six hours.