Coup attempt against Arroyo

By Amit Baruah

SINGAPORE, APRIL 30. There is an element of extreme irony in the pro- Joseph Estrada protests that have rocked the Philippine capital Manila since the arrest of the former President five days ago and the response of his political opponents who are now in power.

Thousands of Mr. Estrada's supporters have taken to the streets in support of their leader, whose arrest has generated a backlash and full-scale crisis for the new President, Ms. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

At one point, over 250,000 supporters of Mr. Estrada had taken up position at EDSA, the ``shrine'' which has already seen massive protests twice leading to the protest of Mr. Estrada and the late dictator, Ferdinand Marcos.

In January, it was Ms. Arroyo and the Catholic Church who were baying for the removal of Mr. Estrada. Today, the roles have been reversed - it is Mr. Estrada's supporters calling for Ms. Arroyo to go - using the same ``shrine'' as a springboard.

Yesterday, the Arroyo Government was in panic mode when it was suspected that the pro-Estrada forces, including elements in the military, were going to make an illegal bid for power. Addressing reporters in Manila today, the President confirmed that there was an effort to grab power yesterday, but not a ``single'' soldier joined the plotters. The plot, she claimed, had fizzled out.

There have been references in the Philippine press to senior serving officers as being involved in the ``plot'', but all the officers have denied playing such a role and, instead, pledged their loyalty to the President.

Talking tough today, the President said she was prepared to use military force if any attempt was made to grab power. ``If one steps beyond the limits of conduct, Government will have no recourse but to take all measures necessary to safeguard the public. The Government has been given formidable defence measures that can be readily called upon,'' she said.

``Nevertheless, I ask people in the streets to police your own ranks. Our law enforcers are out there to protect everybody from harm, regardless of political beliefs of persuasions,'' she added.

Pointing to the seriousness with which the Government took the coup threat, the military Chief of Staff, Gen. Diomedio Villanueva, held a press conference at 2 a.m. to deny reports of high-level defections in the military to the Estrada camp.

``I'd like to assure the public that the Armed Forces of the Philippines stands united 100 per cent, steadfast behind Commander-in-Chief... Arroyo, and claims to the contrary are plain and simple falsehood and designed to create disorder and sow confusion,'' the General was quoted as saying.

In yet another twist, Cardinal Jaime Sin, head of the country's Roman Catholic Church, condemned efforts to grab power, quite forgetting his own role in the movement to bring down Mr. Estrada just three months ago.

``As Catholics, we must fully support, defend and stand behind the present Government and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,'' the Cardinal said in a radio and television broadcast. ``Keep watch, stay alert. It is immoral to grab power.''

Interestingly, Mr. Estrada and his son, a co-accused in the case of economic plunder filed against the former President, who were to appear at an anti-corruption court in a couple of days, have suddenly found their court appearance shifted to the end of June.

The fresh political chaos in the Philippines comes at a time when the country is to hold elections at several levels, including to 13 seats in the Senate, in the next couple of weeks.

Any defeat for Ms. Arroyo will be a vindication of Mr. Estrada.

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