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.
More bad news.
Sounds like some in the military and, surprise, surprise, leftists.
The Philippines consist of around 7000 islands. How can anything like that be governed or controlled? What a mess this is in the making.
Well, no one is perfect especially in the eyes of the critics.
GMA is far better or should i say "the lesser evil" compared to the "crocodiles" behind Mr. Estrada's administration.
Our authorities just caught one of the leaders of the coup this week.
The muslims are a growing population in every province in the philippines and they have their share of terrorist,but you also have the New Peoples Army(communist) that basically control parts of several provinces,and are ruthless at times. There are political factions that are Marcos followers,Estrada followers,etc. There are military and political figures that have their own motives and reasons to see Gloria fail,and corruption runs deep in their culture,so who knows who might at any moment be planning to overthrow her government. My bet is on Estrada followers,aided by a few military co-conspirators. Don't get me wrong ,I love the filipinos and most of them love America,many have served,fought and died in the u.s. military .
You have people who have obligations to you, and people you are obliged to; and these obligations short-circuit any notion of laws, processes, or system at all times and in all cases.
Example: You want to get married in a high-falutin' Catholic Church... the church secretary gives you a list of "approved" florists, which they have a right to do. Unknownst to you, the florists have to pay $100 to the church for any jobs they get for the church, and they have to bury this price, undisclosed in the quote they give you.
Example: I needed my passport stamped because I was in the Phils. longer than 30 days. I could go myself and spend only $10, stand in line for several hours, etc. etc. or, pay a lawyer friend's paralegal $20 to take care of it, and get my passport back 2 days later with the stamp and no interview. The other $10 went to the customs inspector himself.
The sad facts of the Philippines are that the top 20 clans (including Arroyo's extended family) probably control 80% or more of the economy and 75% of the land. Only Filipinos can own land in the Philippines, so foreign investment is curtailed and channeled into the high-dollar, higher-tech industries that don't use much land. There are huge plantations, and they are still run very much like plantations, with servants, debutante balls, etc. while 70% of the population will never own even a slice of land.
Too bad they asked us to take our base away from there.
Now would be an advantageous time to have some help.