Arroyo's state of rebellion brings arrests

Tuesday's violent protests prompted the government to declare a state of rebellion

In this story: Estrada speaks out Vandalizing and looting RELATED STORIES, SITES

MANILA, Philippines -- A crackdown on opposition politicians has followed the declaration of a state of rebellion in the Philippines' capital after an attempt to storm the presidential palace.

Two policemen and a protester died during a night of rioting in central Manila when tens of thousands of supporters of deposed President Joseph Estrada tried to break down the palace gates.

As calm returned on Tuesday, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared a state of rebellion within the capital and police began questioning politicians on suspicion of inciting the protests.

Senator Juan Ponce Enrile told CNN via a telephone from police custody that he was being detained "without any warrant of arrest." He said he had told the protesters on Monday night "not to do what they were planning to do."

Justice Secretary Hernando Perez ordered the arrest of at least 11 key opposition figures Tuesday. Some lawyers were quick to question the legitimacy of the action.

Declaration of a state of rebellion allows authorities to arrest suspects without a warrant and is the first of three steps a president can take to maintain law and order.

Subsequent steps are the suspension of habeas corpus rights and martial law.

Estrada speaks out

In a statement issued from a detention centre south of the capital where he was taken on Monday, Estrada called on his supporters to avoid further violence -- but did not call for them to disperse.

"I earnestly call on our people today for calm and sobriety, and to exercise restraint in the face of the grave crisis facing our nation today," he said.

"We must not give this regime any reason to further trample on our rights of assembly by using excessive force. We must not also give this regime an excuse to declare martial law to ensure its continued stay in power and to further inflict harm on its own people." Enrile, an Estrada ally and prominent politician, surrendered at his home and was taken to police headquarters for questioning.

Police said 103 protesters had been arrested and 36 policemen were hurt during the overnight violence.

An Arroyo aide said the protesters could be heard through the walls of the palace -- which is defended by high walls on three sides, and a river on the fourth -- saying the atmosphere inside Malacanang was "scary."

Arroyo told CNN: "I'm not worried. I'm in control."

Facing the biggest crisis of her presidency since being sworn in exactly 100 days ago, she said the attempt to storm the presidential palace overnight was part of planned rebellion.

"We have the evidence, we have the proof . . . this was a carefully planned rebellion," Arroyo said.

Overnight, witnesses said police and soldiers had persistently fired warning shots in the air and sent teargas rounds into the crowd -- which at one point was over 40,000 strong.

Vandalizing and looting

CNN's Kathy Quiano spoke of demonstrators torching vehicles, including a police car, as well as vandalizing and looting homes and shops as they retreated.

"This is not just a demonstration. This is a rebellion," government spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao said.

Estrada, who was having medical checks in a military hospital, was whisked away by helicopter to a maximum security detention centre at Laguna City, 50 km (30 miles) south of Manila, shortly after the violent march began.

State of emergency allows officials to arrest suspects without a warrant

His son Jinggoy, also facing corruption charges, was with him. "Don't shoot the people, they are unarmed," Jinggoy said his father told the police.

The former president faces a charge of economic plunder for alleged corruption during his 31-month rule. If found guilty, he could be sentenced to death, or life imprisonment.

Influential Philippines Catholic Cardinal Jaime Sin, speaking at the Edsa shrine on Tuesday afternoon, called for calm.

"In this mass we continue to pray for peace, we pray for enlightenment and sobriety," Sin said told a mass, attended by thousands of Arroyo supporters.

Independent economists agree economic problems are not to be solved overnight, and some political analysts expressed fears that the military are becoming a key to power as confusion continues in civil politics.

The instability has already sent financial markets lower.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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Philippine Office of the Press Secretary
Philippines House of Representatives

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