MANILA, 13 November 2003 — Police used water cannons and tear gas yesterday to disperse thousands of protesters calling for the dismissal of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and other government leaders for alleged corruption.
Carrying red and white streamers, some 7,000 to 10,000 protesters from groups identified with disgraced former President Joseph Estrada snarled traffic and forced shops to close along Ayala Avenue, the main thoroughfare in Makati, Manila’s financial district.
The marchers carried banners saying “We need a new government now”, “Game over” and “Supreme Court-dictatorship,” and chanted “Gloria, Davide resign now”.
Anti-riot police used water hoses and tear gas on the demonstrators as darkness fell.
“Their permit is only up to 5 p.m.,” national police Deputy Director Reynaldo Velasco warned shortly before the dispersal.
At least one protest leader was carried away by police while others were seen sprawled on the road afterward, stunned by the force of the water cannons and the tear gas.
However, Makati police said they had no immediate reports of any serious injuries.
Estrada left office in January 2001 amid massive protests over his alleged corruption. He is currently on trial for the capital offense of economic plunder.
“Prevalent corruption in the regime has destroyed our democracy, has damaged our institution and has brought further sufferings to the masses,” one protest group said in a statement.
It called for the dismissal of Arroyo, Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. as well as other justices, and House Speaker Jose de Venecia.
The protesters criticized the alleged “dictatorship” of the Supreme Court, which on Monday struck down an impeachment complaint against Davide for alleged misuse of judiciary funds. The court said the complaint violated a constitutional ban on filing more than one complaint against the same official within one year.
An earlier complaint alleging that Davide and seven other justices illegally took part in the 2001 removal of former President Joseph Estrada was dismissed in June by the House for lack of substance.
A majority of House members, led by de Venecia, on Tuesday agreed to abide by the ruling. Arroyo has urged reconciliation and healing following the controversy.
