Philippine forces remain on 'red alert'

By Amit Baruah

SINGAPORE, MAY 7. A day after the Philippines President, Ms. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, lifted the ``state of rebellion'', the country's security forces remained on ``red alert'' for signs of possible trouble.

Exactly one week ago, supporters of the ousted President, Mr. Joseph Estrada, broke police barricades and reached the presidential palace, only to be driven back by the military. Three persons were killed and over 100 injured in the violence.

The protests were triggered by the April 25 arrest of Mr. Estrada on charges of economic plunder and his ``poor treatment'' following his detention.

The ``state of rebellion'', one step short of martial law, was proclaimed by the President after she warned of a ``power grab'' attempt by associates of Mr. Estrada.

Referring to the lifting of the ``state of rebellion'', a spokesman for the President, Mr. Rigoberto Tiglao, was quoted as saying in Manila: ``We feel we've enough in our legal and military arsenal to meet continuing challenges to this administration.''

He alleged that two of the plotters behind the ``power grab'' attempt, Senator Gregorio Honasan, and former police chief, Mr. Panfilo Lacson, were still attempting to destabilise the Arroyo Government.

``They are still pushing it. Their plot on May 1 was go-for- broke. They put in all their resources,'' Mr. Tiglao was quoted as saying.

While the police are on the look-out for Mr. Honasan and Mr. Lacsen, the country's Supreme Court released Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, allegedly involved in the ``power grab'' attempt. ``They got a slap in the face, I got my freedom,'' Mr. Enrile was quoted as saying after the Supreme Court granted him bail.

The Senator alleged that the ``state of rebellion'' and the hunt for leading lights of the Opposition was a ``plot'' to ``cripple the Opposition'' ahead of the May 14 election to the Senate and Congress.

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Section  : International
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