Police yesterday arrested an ally-turned-critic of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for illegal assembly as the crackdown on the president's foes continued two weeks after she lifted the state of emergency she imposed on the country to quell an alleged coup attempt. Two suspected followers of former Sen. Gregorio Honasan, wanted for his alleged role in last month’s thwarted coup, were also arrested, officials said.Former Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman was taken to a police station along with activist Vicente Romano as the two were leading a silent protest at Manila’s popular Baywalk promenade. The two were with about 30 people wearing T-shirts bearing the slogan “Oust Now,” apparently calling for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to resign. Police said they were arrested for holding a rally without a permit. “We are not holding a rally, we are just strolling. We are not disturbing anyone, we don’t even have placards,” said Soliman, one of 10 key Arroyo officials who resigned their positions in mid-2005 at the height of a crisis sparked by allegations that Arroyo cheated in the May 2004 elections.
| "We wudn't doin' nuttin'! We wuz just walkin' down the street, mindin' our own bidniz..." |