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Topic: Manila: Coup talk sparks crackdown (Read 196 times)

JP
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Manila: Coup talk sparks crackdown
« on: Feb 23^rd, 2006, 9:22pm »

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There's political unrest in the Philippines today. I can't believe this is happening today. I hope it's not too bad... Undecided

Manila: Coup talk sparks crackdown
Government arrests general, cancels rally permits

From Hugh Riminton
CNN
Thursday, February 23, 2006; Posted: 10:35 p.m. EST (03:35 GMT)

MANILA, Philippines -- Security is tight in the Philippines after military officials say they blocked a coup attempt against the embattled president.

The reports of the plot to overthrow President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo comes as the country prepares to mark the 20th anniversary of the "people power" revolution that ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

In the wake of the coup attempt, Arroyo on Friday was considering whether to impose a state of emergency to deal with the "clear and present danger," her spokesman said.

"We believe that we have quashed a coup," Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon earlier told local television.

An army general has been arrested in connection with the alleged plot, and a marine colonel is being sought.

The two officers were the leaders of a group of soldiers who planned to take advantage of mass protests against Arroyo on Friday to overthrow her, Esperon said.

Soldiers have been urged not to get involved in demonstrations calling for Arroyo to quit, and the government has canceled rally permits and told schools to call off classes, according to The Associated Press.

The clampdown comes as Filipinos mark the anniversary of massive protests in February 1986 that toppled Marcos and brought former President Corazon Aquino to power, after both candidates claimed victory in a disputed presidential election.

Aquino had been propelled into that race by the 1983 assassination of her husband, Benigno, a popular opposition senator who was gunned down at Manila's airport as he returned from exile in the United States.

Coup rumors have swirled in the Philippines in recent weeks amid widespread calls for the unpopular Arroyo to resign over questions about the legitimacy of her 2004 re-election win.

During the vote count, Arroyo was tape-recorded having a conversation with a senior election official, which opposition leaders charge is evidence she manipulated the outcome.

The president has denied any wrongdoing and the Philippines' Congress threw out impeachment charges against her in September, after her dominant allies in the House of Representatives used a technicality to block the complaints.

But calls for her to quit have continued.

Extra barbed wire and shipping containers were set up on roads leading to Malacanang, the presidential palace, and checkpoints have appeared around the capital, AP reported.

Media have also been barred from the main military headquarters, Camp Aguinaldo.

But any move to impose emergency rule by Arroyo would be seen as very sensitive, after nine years of marital law under Marcos.

The rule would allow for arrests without warrants and an extension of the time suspects can be detained without charge, according to Reuters reports.

***************

Just right now, she declared State of Emergency. They are now going to start dispersing rallies. It's going to be chaos. Sad

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JP
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Re: Manila: Coup talk sparks crackdown
« Reply #1 on: Feb 23^rd, 2006, 9:25pm »

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Emergency declared in Philippines

Rumours have been circulating of a plot against President Arroyo

Philippine President Gloria Arroyo has declared an emergency after the army said it had foiled a coup plot involving security forces commanders.

Mrs Arroyo said she had given army and police extraordinary powers.

Security was tightened this week amid rumours of a coup timed to coincide with the anniversary of a 1986 revolt against President Ferdinand Marcos.

The army says the coup plotters had planned to speak out against Mrs Arroyo at an opposition rally on Friday.

The police has withdrawn permits for all planned demonstrations and all schools in the country have been shut.

Of course she's concerned... Like a shepherd with her flock, she would not want any part of it to go astray
Gen Generoso Senga

Checkpoints have reportedly been erected around the capital, Manila, and soldiers have been sent to strengthen security around the presidential palace.

Rumours of unrest are common in the Philippines, which has seen a dozen coup attempts in the last 20 years, says the BBC's Manila correspondent Sarah Toms.

'Crisis'

The Philippine army chief, Lt Gen Hermogenes Esperon, announced in a TV interview on Friday that a coup had been averted.

The head of the army's elite Scout Rangers regiment, Brig Gen Danilo Lim, has been accused of heading the coup plot

Protest against President Arroyo
Rallies against the president have been held regularly in recent weeks

He is under arrest and at least eight to 10 other people - including the commanders of an elite marine unit and a special police squad - are reportedly being sought for questioning.

Army chief of staff Gen Generoso Senga said the government had the full support of the military.

"We have reduced the threat," the Associated Press news agency quotes Gen Senga as saying. "We cannot say that it has been stopped."

He said Mrs Arroyo had been briefed on the situation and was concerned.

"Like a shepherd with her flock, she would not want any part of it to go astray."

Over the past few months, Mrs Arroyo has faced a crisis because of allegations of vote rigging and corruption.

She survived an impeachment attempt in September 2005 and an army mutiny, involving some 300 soldiers, in July 2003.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4745716.stm

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