PHILIPPINES: Philippine marines restive, protesting dismissal of marine chief in President Arroyo's crackdown on coup plotters

Record ID: 859279

  • Title: PHILIPPINES: Philippine marines restive, protesting dismissal of marine chief in President Arroyo's crackdown on coup plotters
  • Date: 26th February 2006
  • Summary: MARINES STANDING INSIDE COMPOUND OF MARINE HEADQUARTERS; CRYING WOMAN ESCORTED BY SOLDIER; APC'S GOING DOWN ROAD SURROUNDED BY TROOPS (4 SHOTS)
  • Embargoed: 13th March 2006 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Philippines
  • City:
  • Country: Philippines
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAQOY0FR6KMYZUJMQUPNWF234F
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: At a marines base in the Philippine capital of Manila, around 100 soldiers in full battle gear and three armoured personnel carriers put on a show of support for their sacked chief on Sunday (February 26). Major-General Renato Miranda was relieved of his command as the government tightened a net around politicians and military brass it accuses of plotting to overthrow President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Senior military officers said Miranda had been given a "graceful exit", but a Miranda supporter, Marine Colonel Ariel Querubin, dismissed this and called for other marines and civilians to support Miranda. Querubin's men and vehicles were gathered at the Fort Bonifacio marine base as the night drew in, with crowds of journalists and civilians standing by. "As far as I know, as I'm concerned including all these people here, our commandant is General Miranda," said the rebel colonel Querubin. Riot police, wearing helmets and holding shields, formed a line around the civilian protesters -- mainly from leftist groups -- as they gathered peacefully outside the base. Nuns clutching rosary beads joined them. At one stage the police moved in to disperse the crowd, but then backed off. Also present, singing protest songs by the fence of the marine compound was daughter of deposed Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Philippine movie star Melissa Mendes was by her side and told reporters, "There are many more, we have many more companions arriving from the Philippine movie industry that share our view of attaining a Philippine democracy." Arroyo cracked down on those she accused of plotting a coup after she declared a state of national emergency on Friday (February 24). It allows for arrests without warrant and an extension of detention without charge. The presidential palace in Manila was still tightly guarded on Sunday, with shipping containers, barbed wire and armoured vehicles blocking the approach road. Arroyo's chief of staff, Michael Defensor, said the President would "not hesitate to take stronger measures to do whatever is necessary to maintain peace and order in the country." Arroyo herself went to church on Sunday morning and the capital's streets were calm, Miranda's removal came amid biting criticism of the President's crackdown on opponents and the media. "The stench of martial law has pervaded the entire country," said the Daily Tribune, whose offices were raided by police before dawn on Saturday. Earlier on Sunday students marched on the university shouting anti-Arroyo slogans, protesting the President's crackdown. Despite pushing reforms to improve revenues, cut debt and curb rampant corruption, Arroyo has not been able to escape the turmoil of a fractious military and political system.
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