MANILA, 23 February 2006 — Thousands of protesters called yesterday on the nation to repeat the “People Power Revolution” against then dictator Ferdinand Marcos 20 years ago and overthrow of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, whom they branded as an “illegitimate” president.
“Bring down Gloria!” the demonstrators chanted as they marched under red banners toward a monument along the historic stretch of EDSA, where millions of Filipinos rallied behind military mutineers in what later led to the overthrow of Marcos.
The “People Power” movement began on Feb. 22, 1986 and three days later Marcos fled into exile in Hawaii.
Yesterday’s protesters later pulled down metal railings put up by police near the monument, sparking a brief shoving match with riot police.
Metro Manila police chief Vidal Querol said between 3,000 and 4,000 people were taking part in the protest, which was being monitored by between 200 and 300 police.
Amid the protests, Arroyo chose to celebrate the event with simple ceremonies at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes Cemetery) in suburban Makati.
"She’s afraid of getting thrown out)” said Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr., one of the key leaders of the resistance against the Marcos dictatorship.
Radio commentators also slammed the president for chosing to exclude the masses from her celebration. It was the masses who made the 1986 People Power Revolt successful.
Arroyo seemed mindful of continuing talks of a power grab via a military coup as she addressed the country’s police and military forces not to give in to such an uprising.
“I call upon our soldiers not to cede a single town to those who dream of breaking up the country, and I call upon the police not to cede a single street corner to those who plan to break into our homes,” Arroyo said in a speech at the Heroes Cemetery.
She continued to court the soldiers and said the government would now be able to provide more benefits to the military and police because of the improving fiscal situation.
She then told the soldiers that being true to their duties was a way of reliving the spirit of EDSA 1.
Army chief Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon announced separately yesterday that authorities have foiled a military coup plot against Arroyo that was to have been launched either last week or next month.
He said a number of the conspirators have been detained, including several participants in a failed military mutiny against Arroyo in July 2003.
Arroyo survived an impeachment complaint in parliament last year arising from opposition allegations she stole the May 2004 presidential election. She denied the charges and rejected demands to step down.
Arroyo herself came to power after popular protests, backed by the military, against her predecessor Joseph Estrada in 2001. (With input from agencies)
