Filipino protesters call for president's ouster

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Houston Chronicle/Associated Press

Feb. 15, 2008, 4:19AM
Filipino protesters call for president's ouster

By OLIVER TEVES
Associated Press

MANILA, Philippines — Thousands of protesters demanding the resignation of the Philippine president marched through Manila today, undeterred by heavy security after officials revealed an alleged plot to assassinate her by al-Qaida-linked militants.

An estimated 10,000 people, including left-wing and Roman Catholic Church-backed groups, carried streamers reading "Gloria resign!" at a rally in Makati, the capital's financial district. The rally was triggered by corruption allegations linking top officials and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's husband in a brewing kickback scandal.

"These are telling signs that the people are again roused and are ready to take political action," said Renato Reyes, secretary general of the left-wing Bayan, one of the organizers.

The protest, which blocked a major thoroughfare, came a day after the military said intelligence reports indicated communist rebels may infiltrate the rally.

The military went on high alert after officials revealed an alleged plot by the al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf group and its Indonesia-based ally, Jemaah Islamiyah, to assassinate Arroyo and attack embassies.



Read more: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/world/5544297.html

---

[acmavm]

1. An 'alleged' al Quaeda assasination plot? Wow, those guys are everywhere.

Reminds me of Underdog,

He's here,
He's there,
He's everywhere.
So Beware!

[Thothmes]

3. May not be to far fetched

The Southern Philippines is predominately Muslim, and has been in a semi-war with the central Government for years trying to gain some level of autonomy or outright Independence.

[acmavm]

4. My point being even if true, these plots are EVERYWHERE and

are being used to justify everything. Like spying on citizens without warrants or probable cause. So who are you to believe? And when do you know if it is real? Because a government says so? Hell, I was told Iraq was full of al Quaeda and Saddam had WMDs. By MY government. Before Shock and Awe.

[pinniped]

2. Any friend of that ahole * is bound to their hands dirty.

.

[raebrek]

5. I honey mooned in Mindanao Philippines

That was in 1999 and I had to be careful then as being a tall white American my relatives were worried I might be a good target.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D06E5DF1430F932A05756C0A9659C8B63

http://www.asianews.it/index.php?art=3879&l=en

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,195316,00.html


Raebrek!!!