"We are quite unhappy about that. Heart-broken to be exact," said spokesman Mariano Andres Garchitorena.
ADVENTURISM
Despite its deep dislike of Arroyo, the Philippine middle class, instrumental in two previous "people power" revolts, is weary of any upheaval that would trip up a reviving economy.
Although continually plagued by corruption allegations, Arroyo is seen as secure because of the jaded electorate and her strong majority in the lower house.
The Philippines has endured more than a dozen coup bids since the overthrow of dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986, and the disgruntled officers behind these plots have traditionally been lauded as folk heroes.
Trillanes won a Senate seat this year despite being behind bars. But while the public rewarded his previous adventurism they did not want a repeat performance.
"The majority do not want any more trouble. It affects the economy. We want to change the government in a peaceful way," said Andrew Cruz, a call centre worker in Manila.
Trillanes, about a dozen soldiers and civilian supporters including a retired bishop and a former vice-president, were taken to the main police camp early on Friday.
National police chief Avelino Razon warned that the coup plot was still active and said the search was on for three other groups who had not been at the hotel. He said they were investigating how many of Trillanes' guards had switched sides.
A midnight-to-5 a.m. curfew was called off.
Authorities were expected to file sedition and rebellion charges against Trillanes and the soldiers on Monday when courts reopen.
The sentence for sedition is life imprisonment but erring soldiers have never been subject to such harsh punishment. Rebel troops have typically been dismissed, sometimes promoted and in one case in 1986, given 40 push-ups.
Analysts said Arroyo would be tougher on Trillanes' group this time around but they did not expect the leadership to impose draconian punishment for fear of upsetting the rank and file.
