PHILIPPINES: Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo invokes emergency rule in Philippines.

Record ID: 677405

  • Title: PHILIPPINES: Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo invokes emergency rule in Philippines.
  • Date: 24th February 2006
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) COMMUTER, ROMMEL GUITERREZ, SAYING: "Well I feel it's premature to declare one (state of emergency), although Gloria says, although the president says there's been a coup attempt."
  • Embargoed: 11th March 2006 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Philippines
  • Country: Philippines
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA3BKBBX2V305RTNMN1THFFRLCK
  • Story Text: Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo invoked emergency rule
    on Friday (February 24) after an alleged coup plot was foiled.
    "I have declared a state of emergency because of the clear and
    present threat to the Republic that we have learned about and stopped, "
    she said in a televised address to the country.
    "There have been some elements in the Armed Forces chain of
    command that tried to veer away from the civilian government, violate the rule
    of law and the Constitution. We foiled this attempt and we have arrested the
    military and civilian officials who were involved. And we will also run after
    those who have given them financial and political support... As the
    Commander-in-chief, I have the situation under control," she said.
    Executive orders do not require approval by Congress.
    Emergency rule -- which allows for arrests without warrants and an
    extension of detention without charge -- is a very sensitive issue in the
    Philippines after nine years of martial law under late dictator Ferdinand
    Marcos.
    Anti-Arroyo protesters, inspired by the upcoming 20th anniversary of
    the People Power movement that ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986,
    called for the president to resign.
    Demonstrators carried colouful anti-Arroyo flags and posters, accusing
    the current administration of graft and corruption.
    Police cancelled permits for several rallies on Friday (February 24)
    and school classes were suspended. Security was beefed at the presidential
    palace and at army and police camps in Manila, and a column of tanks was sent
    to the main military base.
    But some demonstrators carried on with their protest, scuffling with
    police.
    The Philippines military said on Friday it was in full control of the
    situation.
    "The armed forces of the Philippines leadership and chain of
    command down the line is in full control. We are committed to adhere strictly
    to the chain of command and remain loyal to the flag, the constitution, and
    the republic," Philippines armed forces chief General Generoso Senga told
    reporters at a news conference.
    Armed forces chief General Generoso Senga said the commander of the
    elite Scout Rangers regiment had been detained as the alleged leader of troops
    who planned to join protests against Arroyo by her political foes on Friday
    (February 25).
    The army said the rogue troops were planning to announce to the
    protesters that they were withdrawing support from the president, hoping this
    would spark an uprising against her.
    Last week the army said it had uncovered a scheme that would have
    involved a mass escape of officers on trial over failed mutiny in 2003, the
    ouster of Arroyo and the creation of a military junta.
    Talk of plots against Arroyo, who survived a crisis last year over
    allegations of vote-rigging and corruption, has been running high around this
    week's anniversary of a "people power" revolt that toppled dictator
    Ferdinand Marcos in 1986.
    There have been a dozen coup attempts in the Philippines in the last 20
    years but some analysts suspect Arroyo's government of playing up security
    threats to ward off would-be plotters and gain public sympathy.
    Arroyo, an economist, has pushed reforms to try to improve revenues,
    reduce corruption and cut debt but has been plagued by the allegations of
    wrong-doing, which led to a failed impeachment attempt in September by her
    foes in the lower house of Congress.
    Outside Malacanang Presidential Palace police officers stepped up
    security measures, blocking off the entrance road preventing anyone from
    entering.
    The peso weakened as far as 51.91 to the dollar in early trade from its
    close on Thursday at 51.66. The main stock market index was down 1.55
    percent.
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