This story
was taken from Bulatlat, the Philippines's alternative weekly
newsmagazine (www.bulatlat.com, www.bulatlat.net, www.bulatlat.org).
Vol. VI, No. 4, March 3, 2006
BY BULATLAT
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 © 2006 Bulatlat
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Posted 12:05 p.m. March 3, 2006