MANILA, 30 April 2006 — Philippine Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez yesterday warned that the government will not just stand idly by if street protests being planned in tomorrow’s Labor Day celebrations turn violent.
Protest organizers expect to mobilize tens of thousands of people to demand higher wages, lower fuel prices and the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal over allegations of election fraud, graft and abuse of power.
Gonzales warned the protesters not to “push (their) luck” and march to the presidential palace as thousands of protesters did on May 1, 2001 in an apparent attempt to oust Arroyo.
A Supreme Court ruling on April 25 struck down a presidential order banning street protests but Gonzalez said the government can still break up rallies being held without permits. “We are prepared. If the situation deteriorates, anything is possible,” said Gonzalez.
May 1 has been a flashpoint since Labor Day 2001 when thousands of followers of deposed President Joseph Estrada rioted at the gates of Malacañang palace.
Tension has been heightened further by the opposition’s continuing efforts to oust Arroyo on charges that she cheated in the May 2004 elections. Arroyo also faced an alleged coup bid in February. Gonzalez said Arroyo could still resort to declaring a state of emergency again, as she did to foil the coup attempt in February, to allow police to arrest marchers.
He also said the Supreme Court order, which prevented the break-up of all rallies, still had not taken effect because the government could still appeal.
Leftist groups have already announced plans to march to the presidential palace today despite government warnings.
“We will go on full alert today for the May 1 celebrations,” said metropolitan Manila police chief Vidal Querol. “We will exert maximum tolerance against the protesters. I can assure you that violence will not come from the police ranks.”
Querol said about 5,000 anti-riot police officers would be deployed in the capital to thwart attempts by rogue soldiers and communist rebels to agitate protesters to start street violence similar to a bloody attack on the presidential palace in 2001.
Church and political leaders from opposing camps have called for peaceful street protests after army and police officials warned some groups may march and storm state offices, including the palace complex.
About 1,000 soldiers were also placed on alert to reinforce police crowd control units, said Brig. Gen. Jose Angel Honrado, a military spokesman. “We’re ready for any contingencies,” Honrado said, adding the military was watching disgruntled soldiers who may be plotting fresh moves to overthrow the president and set up a junta. (With reports from Inquirer News Service & Agencies)
