Posted on 02/23/2006 7:58:30 PM PST by HAL9000
APNewsAlert
MANILA, Philippines (AP) -- Philippine president declares state of emergency amid flurry of coup rumors.
HALL what going on in Phillipines??
WTFFF
(2nd UPDATE) PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared a state of emergency Friday to quell a military uprising that sought to overthrow her administration.Arroyo's declaration is contained in Proclamation 1017, which she signed after a lengthy meeting with Cabinet members and police and military officials in Malacañang, Press Secertary Ignacio Bunye said.
In the declaration released to media at 11:20 a.m., Arroyo invoked Section 18, Article 7 of the Constitution that allowed the President to call on the armed forces to prevent or suppress rebellion.
The proclamation will also pave the way for warrantless arrests, government takeover of utilities, including media, and a ban on rallies, Presidential Chief of Staff Michael Defensor said.
Arroyo said that over the past months, “elements in the political opposition had conspired with authoritarians of the extreme Left represented by the [National Democratic Front-Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army] and the extreme Right, represented by military adventurists -- the historic enemies of the democratic Philippine State -- who are now in a tactical alliance and engaged in a concerted and systematic conspiracy, over a broad front, to bring down the duly constituted government elected in May 2004.”
She also noted that "the claims of these elements had been recklessly magnified by certain segments of the national media.”
She said these series of actions were hurting the country “by obstructing governance, including hindering the growth of the economy and sabotaging the people’s confidence in government.”
Arroyo said the situation was under control.
Earlier on Friday, Defensor said authorities were hunting down 8 to 10 civilians and military officers allegedly linked to the coup plot, including their financiers.
Reporters covered the President's declaration from the Arlegui guesthouse, a few meters away from the Palace.
There is a *small* Muslim element in the Phillipines, on the southern island of Mindanao. Muslims are about 5% of the population, and have been a problem in terms of being separatist going back to the days of Spanish rule. Unfortunately the rebels have nothing against murder, rape, and kidnapping, which is why it isn't all that safe for westerners to go there at the moment.
I promise not to say, "I told you so"...
Semper Fi
Manila, Philippines - A strong explosion shakes the presidential palace ^
Posted by river rat to HAL9000
On News/Activism ^ 02/20/2006 6:00:16 AM PST · 59 of 106 ^
Manila is a PRIME candidate to slip entirely into Turd World status...
I was shocked at the level of poverty for vast numbers of people, and the manner in which they lived in the grassy areas BETWEEN the highway or along side the highways approaching Manila.
The contrast of great wealth for some and abject poverty for most was unexpected... The corruption was stunning. Anyone or anything can be bought - cheaply.
It appears that one of the greatest contributers to their GNP is the trade in and export of their young women.
Their failure to annihilate the Islamist or Communist "terrorists" in their Island nation - is telling.
The fine hotel I used in downtown Manila, had a bomb and weapon inspection station in the LOBBY, checking the parcels and baggage of ALL incoming guests and visitors.
It didn't work.....the Hotel was bombed - a couple of weeks after I checked out.
Semper Fi
There are constant rumors of coup plot in the Philippines. Arroyo's opponents accuse her of manufacturing the rumors for political purposes - but this looks like they've caught some real plotters who had escaped from military prison for a while.
OH WOW this is no joke
MANNN if Phillipines fall to Muslum hand they are so screw
yeesh...!
The story tonight out of Manila is disturbing. Perhaps that isn't entirely abnormal for that area...but I'd bet Arroyo doesn't sleep well at night.
I live here in the Philippines and this has nothing to do with the Muslims, it's all political opponents of the President along with a group of mostly young disgruntled officers in the military....
Yep...they're in the Shiite!
Non muslim related coup. Just paramilitary (right?) groups wanting to get rid of Gloria Arroyo. Tensions have been high for the last couple weeks.
More bad news.
Hey AD Glad you are over nowww on this thread
Look serious according to esteem Freeper correspoandat Hal
Thank you for clarifying. People who have no idea what they are talking about are spewing misinformation (that the "Muslims are taking over") on every thread about this.
Agreed. I was going to say the same thing. This is the old Democracy/dictatorship/military rule business. I get the feeling that Macapagal is not the greatest leader in the world, and some of the power grabbers are eager to stage a coup.
It's not easy keeping up with all the coups doing the rounds of those parts...
Exactly. The Muslims there cause trouble on a regular basis but they *cannot* take over the country. I had lunch with a couple of friends from the Phillipines recently and they pointed out that Arroyo has been in political trouble for some time.
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