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Arroyo links Estrada to rebellion
MANILA, Philippines -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has linked former leader Joseph Estrada to a recent attempt to unseat her, based on a document he allegedly left in a military hospital. It was the first time Arroyo openly tagged Estrada in destabilization moves against her 100-day-old administration, and the accusation came after she ordered the arrest of three senators who allegedly led protests against her. Arroyo said the document left behind by her predecessor while undergoing a medical-check-up was a supposed draft of Estrada's declaration of his return to office after his "leave of absence."
Estrada was flown by helicopter from the hospital to a police detention center in the nearby province of Laguna on Tuesday, hours after his supporters clashed with riot police and soldiers guarding Malacanang Palace. Estrada was arrested a week ago on the capital offence of plunder for allegedly pocketing $82 million in bribes and kickbacks during 31 months in office. Earlier, Arroyo declared the uprising - designed, she said, to restore former President Joseph Estrada to power - as a failure. "I'm not worried. I'm in control," the president told CNN after declaring a state of rebellion in Manila. Philippine government sources reported that at least four people -- three civilians and one police officer -- were killed during Tuesday's riot at the palace. President Gloria Arroyo promised more arrests and a strong response to any new protests, vowing to crush any rebellion attempts She ordered police to break up any group of more than five people near the presidential [Malacanang] palace, while police were searching for opposition leaders suspecting of provoking pro-Estrada demonstrators. In a radio interview, Arroyo said she may be forced to declare martial law if the peace and order situation worsens. "They shouldn't tempt me. If they accelerate this, I'll have no choice," she said. Incriminating documentReferring to the alleged document, Arroyo said Estrada has no such claim to the presidency. "This cannot be, because the Supreme Court has ruled that I am the legitimate president and not the acting president. We must enforce the laws," she said. Estrada was forced to step down in January amid a widespread "people power" revolt calling for his resignation. Estrada and his son, Jinggoy, were arrested last week on a plunder charge which carries a possible death penalty. Security officials on Wednesday were considering arresting two more of Estrada's sons -- J.V. Ejercito and Jude Estrada -- over their possible role in Tuesday's violence. Arroyo said the recovered document was supposed to be signed by Estrada.
However, the jailed leader seemed to have failed to sign it, when he was quickly airlifted to a detention cell at the Philippine National Police Special Action Force compound in southern Laguna province. Senator arrestedSenator Juan Ponce Enrile, suspected of organizing protesters to march on the palace, was arrested without a warrant Tuesday and charged with inciting to sedition. The same charge was also filed against 11 other key opposition figures including Senator Gregorio Honasan, former ambassador to Washington D.C. Ernesto Maceda, and former national police chief Panfilo Lacson. Police Director Thompson Lantion said Wednesday that police are looking for Honasan and Lacson, a senatorial candidate in May 14 elections, who has reportedly fled the country.
Justice Secretary Hernando Perez said Enrile and his co-accused would "languish" in jail while the cases against them are pending. President Arroyo also said that these senatorial candidates would be disqualified to run in the elections if convicted. Perez, however, could not explain why another senator, who was a key figure during the protest actions, and Estrada's son, Joseph Victor, were not included in the charges. Ironically, Enrile, a former defense secretary, signed the arrest orders of thousands of political opponents of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos who declared martial law on September 21, 1972. Peso strengthensThe arrest orders cheered Manila financial markets, which were badly battered by months of political uncertainty. Philippine Central Bank Governor Rafael Buenaventura said the peso is stronger against the dollar Wednesday on abating political concerns. In early trading, the dollar averaged 51.328 pesos on the spot market, down from 51.450 pesos at the previous close. The Philippine Stock Exchange Index jumped 3.4 percent in 45 minutes of trading Wednesday after falling 2.9 percent in the previous session Monday. "The immediate danger has passed," said BNP Paribas Peregrine Securities research head Edgar Bancod. The Associated Press contributed to this report. RELATED STORIES:
Lawyers question Arroyo's powers RELATED SITES:
Philippine Office of the Press Secretary |
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CNN's Andrew Stevens speaks with Senator Enrile who was arrested for inciting protest
