PHILIPPINES: Security tight in Philippines a day after President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declares state of emergency

Record ID: 838713

  • Title: PHILIPPINES: Security tight in Philippines a day after President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declares state of emergency
  • Date: 25th February 2006
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) ARCHBISHOP GAUDENCIO ROSALES, ORDAINED CARDINAL, SAYING: "Military posturing of any kind and for any reason severely risks our position among the family of honourable nations and sets back the country in it's business competitiveness." MASS (SOUNDBITE) (English) ARCHBISHOP GAUDENCIO ROSALES, ORDAINED CARDINAL, SAYING: "But EDSA is also the day to remind those in governance that the issue of leadership and corrupt transactions must be addressed with sincerity, transparency and with personal sacrifice."
  • Embargoed: 12th March 2006 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Philippines
  • City:
  • Country: Philippines
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAEEO1SYCH5GEE8MRYHIPB0N56V
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  • Story Text: Security remained tight outside the presidential palace in the Philippines on Saturday (February 25) a day after President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared a state of emergency following reports that the military had foiled a coup attempt against the government. Sandbags and shipping containers were placed on the road to block the main entrance from potential protesters. Check-points have also been set up as armed security officers checked all traffic following into the compound. Emergency rule, which allows 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 Marcos. Executive orders do not require approval by Congress. Feb. 25 also marked 20 years of freedom from dictator Ferdinand Marcos who was ousted by a "people power" revolt after a rule that included nine years of martial law used to jail opponents and the free press. All rally permits were revoked and events cancelled for the 20th anniversary of "people power", which had looked set to be low key in the divided nation even before the emergency decree. There were no protests on Saturday and Arroyo, surrounded by aides and security, visited one of Manila's malls, which were unusually quiet as shoppers avoid possible flashpoints. Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, an ally to Arroyo and former judge, said the president's order did not clearly specify the scope and limits of the emergency powers but still respected the rights of citizens, including the freedom of speech. Former presidents Fidel Ramos and Corazon Aquino joined hundreds for a mass at the iconic EDSA shrine led by newly ordained Cardinal, Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales in what observers say was a gathering of government opposition groups calling for Arroyo's resignation. In his message to the gathering, Archbishop Rosales condemned Arroyo's decision to declare a state of emergency, saying it undermined the country's stability and international standing. "Military posturing of any kind and for any reason severely risks our position among the family of honourable nations and sets back the country in its business competitiveness," he said. He said the anniversary of People Power, or EDSA, should remind political leaders of the ideals behind the revolution and why Ferdinand Marcos' corrupt and extravagant rule was toppled. "But EDSA is also the day to remind those in governance that the issue of leadership and corrupt transactions must be addressed with sincerity, transparency and with personal sacrifice," he said. Rights group Amnesty International said it was concerned the state of emergency "may increase the risk of serious human rights violations and may undermine the rule of law in the Philippines". Leftist congressman Crispin Beltran was taken into custody for questioning and is currently being held by the Philippine National Police in Manila. He was shown a warrant but not charged over a case of incitement to rebellion 21 years ago. Beltran's wife is demanding her husband's immediate release, saying the police had not proven any legitimate reasons for detaining him. "They were armed. They were armed. There were four of them, they held up our vehicle there in Francisco home," Rosario Beltran told reporters. Before dawn, police also raided a pro-opposition newspaper, The Daily Tribune, gathering documents, confiscating copies from the printing press and padlocking the office. "We're very critical of this government and I think that the reason this government is clamping down on the Tribune is basically to instil fear in us and convey the message to the entire media that we're not gonna stand for this," said Conchita Olivares, publisher of the Daily Tribune. The president's allies defended the newspaper raids as a legitimate step against attempts to incite unrest. Talk of plots against Arroyo, who survived a crisis last year over allegations of vote-rigging and graft, has been running high around this week's anniversary of the 1986 "people power" revolt that overthrew dictator Ferdinand Marcos. There have been a dozen coup attempts in the Philippines in the last 20 years but some analysts say Arroyo's government plays up threats to ward off would-be plotters and win public sympathy. On Friday (February 24) police used fire hoses and batons to disperse about 5,000 protesters, including nuns and priests, near a shrine that was a focal point of the anti-Marcos revolt and another in 2001 that ousted Joseph Estrada as president. In the capital's Makati financial district, riot police took up position as several thousand protesters gathered as the peso fell 1 percent to close at 52.20 to the dollar. The main stock index lost 1 percent and prices of Philippine dollar bonds fell by half to three-quarters of a point, indicating investor dissatisfaction. Ordinary Filipinos also worried about the coming days, uncertain of how the situation would develop. "I also feel afraid but we can't really tell what will happen," said 26-year-old Jeepney driver, Roll Balencia. Arroyo, an economist, has pushed reforms to boost revenues and cut debt but has been dogged by allegations of wrongdoing, which led to a failed impeachment attempt in September. Last week, the army said it uncovered a plot that would have involved the escape of officers on trial over a brief mutiny in 2003, the overthrow of Arroyo and creation of a military junta.
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