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| Southeast Asia |
| Philippines Leader: Coup Plot Quashed |
| 2006-02-24 |
| MANILA, Philippines - President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo announced she had quashed a coup plot Friday and declared a state of emergency, gambling that the backlash wouldn't leave her crippled. It was one of the toughest and longest days yet for Arroyo, who already has withstood two coup attempts and numerous other crises during five tumultuous years in power. She started with a pre-dawn meeting of her national security council and was still in the presidential palace in the evening, as opponents accused her of suppressing dissent. Imposing a state of emergency is a dangerous move in a country still smarting from the martial-law decrees used by former dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Riot police quickly used force to disperse two protests before they could gather steam. An army general was arrested and a police commander was relieved of his duties as military chiefs moved to quash the rebellion before it could get started. The military has played major roles in two "people power" revolts and has a recent history of restiveness, so Arroyo ordered a massive security clampdown, with military camps barricaded to keep troops from joining the demonstrations. Military chiefs said they backed Arroyo and that they had eased the threat of a coup, but hadn't wiped it out completely. Arroyo vowed she was in control but clearly was worried about losing her grip on events as her opponents tried to hijack commemorations of the 20th anniversary of the "people power" revolt that ousted Marcos. Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye told reporters that the commemorations have been canceled and that the military was ordered "to prevent and suppress lawless violence." Arroyo said the political opposition, along with extreme elements of the political left and right, were determined to bring down the elected government. "This is my warning against those who threaten the government: the whole weight of the law will fall on your treason," Arroyo said in a nationally televised statement in which she appealed for calm. Her chief of staff, Mike Defensor, said no curfew will be imposed but the declaration bans rallies, allows arrests without warrants, permits the president to call in the military to intervene and lets her take over facilities — including media outlets — that may affect national security. Arroyo's aides linked former President Joseph Estrada and several others to the coup plot. Estrada laughed off the allegations, saying he's been out of work and under detention for five years and didn't have the money to finance a coup. "I don't have any work, how can I finance?" he asked. Former President Corazon Aquino and about 5,000 people were allowed to march peacefully to a memorial to her late husband Benigno, whose assassination in 1983 sparked massive protests that led to the revolt against Marcos. But Aquino, a one-time Arroyo ally, criticized the emergency declaration and reiterated a call for the president to "make the supreme sacrifice" and resign."I believe that during these times, we should not forget that many sacrificed to regain our democracy," Aquino said. "We cannot just keep quiet because that is what happened during martial law. Our dictator then believed that he can do anything to keep himself in power." The Integrated Bar of the Philippines, the country's largest lawyers' group, said it will question the legality of Arroyo's declaration before the Supreme Court, according to its president, Anselmo Cadiz."It could result in more political hemorrhage and security risk," said Rep. Roilo Golez, Arroyo's former national security adviser, who withdrew support from her. "This could get out of control ... if her crisis team doesn't manage this well." Rep. Teodoro Casino, a leftist leader, said anti-Arroyo protests won't end. The Philippine stock market and the peso both plunged. U.S. State Department spokeswoman Janelle Hironimus said: "We are monitoring the situation carefully. We firmly support the rule of law and constitutional government. Violence should be avoided." Arroyo survived three impeachment bids in September, when her dominant allies in the House of Representatives used a technicality to block complaints of alleged massive corruption and vote-rigging. Police already were on heightened alert nationwide as reports of a coup plot have been circulating for more than a week; even elementary school students were discussing it in detail. |
| Posted by:tu3031 |
| #2 Goodness, 49 Pan, it sounds like they could use a couple of rounds of community theater! |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2006-02-24 23:11 |
| #1 U.S. State Department spokeswoman Janelle Hironimus said: "We are monitoring the situation carefully. We firmly support the rule of law and constitutional government. Violence should be avoided." Blanket statement to avoid picking sides. The event was really just the yearly EDSA rally that was full of Rumor or wanting of Coupe, the phils love their drama. The military did nothing and by 10PM Makati city police broke up the protestors that were left. Most were filtering home anyway because no one brought food to feed them, last big coupe the opposition purchased food and water to keep the people there. Yes, they will be happy to hang on and protest for a meal. Today all is quiet and clean up crews are out picking up trash. |
| Posted by: 49 pan 2006-02-24 18:15 |