Manila Protesters Rally, Defying Arroyo's State of Emergency

[shugah]

Manila Protesters Rally, Defying Arroyo's State of Emergency

Feb. 24 (Bloomberg) -- Thousands of Filipinos marched through Manila tonight demanding President Gloria Arroyo's resignation hours after she declared a state of emergency and banned demonstrations. The peso had its biggest drop in more than three years. Stocks and bonds slumped.

In a nationally televised address today, Arroyo said a group of military officers and civilians had planned to establish an ``extra-constitutional regime'' in the country. The military said this morning it detained General Danilo Lim, commanding officer of the army's elite Scout Rangers. Lim was involved in 1989 coup attempt against then-President Corazon Aquino.

~snip~

Thousands marched even after the police said permits to rally today would be canceled. Police broke up rallies at two points on Manila's main road, Edsa. They used shields and truncheons as they tried to disperse a group headed toward Makati, Manila's financial district, according to video broadcast by ABS- CBN News. ``Many'' civilians participating in the rallies have been arrested, ABS-CBN reported.

~snip~

A group saying it is made up of active and retired members of the military earlier this week claimed responsibility for an explosion on the grounds of Malacanang. Malacanang officials said the explosion, which didn't cause any injuries or damage, may have been a construction-related accident, without ruling out the possibility it was intentional.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=a.XTNsc0ZRrc&refer=top_world_news

[IndianaGreen]

1. I hope they drag Arroyo's carcass through the streets of Manila

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is a tyrant cut in the mold of Cheney and Ferdinand Marcos, and she is good buddies with Bush.

[rodeodance]

2. I recall she was given a 'red capet" WH dinner for being a member of

the 'coaltion of the willing"----my how they fall.

[brooklynite]

3. Having lived in Manila through the Marcos Dictatorship...

I am wholly opposed to any coup attempt against a legitimately elected (by Philippine standards) President, however poorly she has performed in office. Civic opposition to Marcos was clearly a different case since he had destroyed all aspects of democratic government), but since then the political landscape has been sufficiently unstable that democratic institutions have had a hard time taking root. Adding to that difficulty is not a desireable outcome, and won't make life any easier for someone the masses and army might install in her place.

[lostexpectation]

4. so who is behind this one, i dunnon sounds like thailand

where the "legitimately" elected the richest man in the country, never a good thing

[saigon68]

5. FREEDOM IS ON THE MARCH

DON'T YOU JUST LOVE

DEMOCRACY