
Arroyo declares police state in Philippines CBC \|\| February 27, 2006 [KDR: Coming to a western country near you.] President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared a state of national emergency in the Philippines on Friday, saying the country faced a "clear threat" from treasonous forces. After issuing a written statement, Arroyo said in a televised address she had crushed a coup attempt and appealed for calm and support from the public. "The government has crushed this illegal action," she said. "As commander-in-chief, I control the situation." Police used water cannons to break up a rally of about 5,000 people at a Manila shrine marking the uprising against the late dictator, Ferdinand Marcos, and later used batons and shields to prevent a second demonstration. "I am declaring a state of emergency because of the clear threat to the nation," said Arroyo in her televised address. "This is my warning against those who threaten the government: the whole weight of the law will fall on your treason." Several military officers have been arrested for their involvement in the alleged coup, said Arroyo. Emergency rule, which would allow for arrests without warrants and an extension of detention without charge, is a sensitive issue in the Philippines after nine years of martial law under Marcos. Executive orders do not require approval by Congress. Police in Manila have banned all street rallies, but some opposition groups defied the ban. Article Posted at www.KnowledgeDrivenRevolution.com Riot police positioned themselves at strategic points around Manila while rusted steel shipping containers were used in makeshift barricades around the presidential palace. "Street rallies are not allowed today to prevent any breach of peace," said Vidal Querol, Metropolitan Manila's police chief director. "All acts on the streets that tend to anger and are divisive must be discouraged and people involved are advised to go home." The order was issued after military officials confirmed that two prominent military officers and a senior police official had been removed from their posts, allegedly linked to efforts to unseat Arroyo. The president's chief of staff, Michael Defensor, said at least eight military and civilian figures were being sought for involvement in the plot. Various anti-Arroyo groups were planning massive marches, ostensibly to mark the 20th anniversary of the popular revolt that toppled Marcos. However, many of these marches were believed to be aimed at calling for the ouster of the president. with files from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation About KDR \| \| Home \| \| Weekly Features Archive	Weekly Weekly Features Archive
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Arroyo declares police state in Philippines

CBC || February 27, 2006

[KDR: Coming to a western country near you.]

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared a state of national emergency in the Philippines on Friday, saying the country faced a "clear threat" from treasonous forces.

After issuing a written statement, Arroyo said in a televised address she had crushed a coup attempt and appealed for calm and support from the public.

"The government has crushed this illegal action," she said. "As commander-in-chief, I control the situation."

Police used water cannons to break up a rally of about 5,000 people at a Manila shrine marking the uprising against the late dictator, Ferdinand Marcos, and later used batons and shields to prevent a second demonstration.

"I am declaring a state of emergency because of the clear threat to the nation," said Arroyo in her televised address. "This is my warning against those who threaten the government: the whole weight of the law will fall on your treason."

Several military officers have been arrested for their involvement in the alleged coup, said Arroyo.

Emergency rule, which would allow for arrests without warrants and an extension of detention without charge, is a sensitive issue in the Philippines after nine years of martial law under Marcos. Executive orders do not require approval by Congress.

Police in Manila have banned all street rallies, but some opposition groups defied the ban.

Article Posted at www.KnowledgeDrivenRevolution.com

Riot police positioned themselves at strategic points around Manila while rusted steel shipping containers were used in makeshift barricades around the presidential palace.

"Street rallies are not allowed today to prevent any breach of peace," said Vidal Querol, Metropolitan Manila's police chief director. "All acts on the streets that tend to anger and are divisive must be discouraged and people involved are advised to go home."

The order was issued after military officials confirmed that two prominent military officers and a senior police official had been removed from their posts, allegedly linked to efforts to unseat Arroyo.

The president's chief of staff, Michael Defensor, said at least eight military and civilian figures were being sought for involvement in the plot.

Various anti-Arroyo groups were planning massive marches, ostensibly to mark the 20th anniversary of the popular revolt that toppled Marcos.

However, many of these marches were believed to be aimed at calling for the ouster of the president.

with files from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation

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