Palace Lifts State of Emergency
BY BULATLAT
Posted 12:05 p.m. March 3, 2006
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo lifted
the state of emergency March 3, a week after she declared it supposedly to
quash an alleged coup plot. The lifting was made after her advisers
assured her that the coup threat had eased.
The defense, justice, and police chiefs
said on March 2 that they would recommend its lifting as the situation
normalizes.
In her speech aired
on government television and radio networks, the president thanked the
military and police for not intervening into political matters, and the
local officials for being on the side of democracy.
She also said that the “opportunists” and
oppositionists have ended their “walang kwentang palabas”
(senseless gimmicks).
Under this declaration, criminal charges
have been filed against over 50 opposition members, military personnel,
and others for alleged attempt to overthrow the president.
A day after the declaration on Feb. 24,
through Proclamation 1017, Anakpawis party-list Rep. Crispin Beltran was
arrested and charged with inciting to sedition. Five other congressmen
charged with rebellion have been under protective custody at the House of
Representatives in Quezon City since Feb. 27.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita had
earlier admitted that the “crackdown” on government opponents and critics
would continue even after Proclamation No. 1017 is lifted.
Bulatlat
BACK TO
TOP ■
PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION ■
COMMENT
© 2006 Bulatlat
■
Alipato Publications
Permission is granted to reprint or redistribute this article, provided
its author/s and Bulatlat are properly credited and notified.
