Philippines Declares State of Emergency

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo , admonished the attempt to overthrow the government on February 24, and proclaimed a state of national emergency.

Arroyo announced on TV and radio broadcasts, “There were a few who tried to break from the armed forces chain of command, to fight the civilian government, and establish a regime outside the constitution. We crushed this attempt. I am declaring a state of emergency because of the clear threat to the nation. This is my warning against those who threaten the government: the whole weight of the law will fall on their treason.”

A state of emergency is one step before martial law. Immediately after the declaration, checkpoints appeared around the capital, and in order to prevent military officers from participating in demonstrations, a barricade was established at the outer wall of the military annex as well.

Amidst this all, in Manila, there were clashes between police and antigovernment protestors, said observers.

The Associated Press reported that the declaration of a state of emergency

occurred after people demanding the resignation of Arroyo at the monument commemorating the 1986 “people power” revolt that resulted in the overthrow of dictator Ferdinand Marcos broke a barricade established by the military and police and attempted to enter.

Army chief Lieutenant General Hermogenes Esperon on February 22 revealed that investigations were underway into military forces, including the 14 officers who attempted to overthrow the Arroyo government.

Ho-Gab Lee gdt@donga.com