Arroyo to lift emergency at ‘earliest possible time’

MANILA – Philippine President Gloria Arroyo pledged yesterday to give up her emergency powers “at the earliest possible time” and ordered a review of the security situation after an alleged coup attempt.

“I will lift the state of national emergency at the earliest possible time,” Arroyo said. She ordered the defence and justice secretaries, as well as the chief of the national police force, to conduct a review and to submit their recommendations within three days.Arroyo assumed emergency powers last Friday to counter what she said was an alliance of communist rebels and “military adventurists” aimed at toppling her.Following her comments, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said “the situation has levelled off” but he was not yet prepared to recommend a lifting of the emergency.He said it was too early to say the threat had been completely neutralised.However, Gonzalez conceded there was a split in the cabinet, with Arroyo’s economic team “of the view that it would be better for the image of the country, and its psychological effects on investors, that it be lifted already.”The coup was allegedly to have coincided with a mass rally last Friday to mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of dictator Ferdinand Marcos.In pre-emptive moves, protests were banned and three officers including US-trained Brigadier General Danilo Lim were relieved of their commands and placed under investigation.Authorities have filed charges of rebellion and attempting a coup d’etat against 16 opposition figures including six leftist legislators.Police have been stationed at a small newspaper critical of the government, and broadcasters have been asked to restrain themselves so as not to provide “aid or support” to forces calling for Arroyo’s ousting.- Nampa-AFPShe ordered the defence and justice secretaries, as well as the chief of the national police force, to conduct a review and to submit their recommendations within three days.Arroyo assumed emergency powers last Friday to counter what she said was an alliance of communist rebels and “military adventurists” aimed at toppling her.Following her comments, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said “the situation has levelled off” but he was not yet prepared to recommend a lifting of the emergency.He said it was too early to say the threat had been completely neutralised.However, Gonzalez conceded there was a split in the cabinet, with Arroyo’s economic team “of the view that it would be better for the image of the country, and its psychological effects on investors, that it be lifted already.”The coup was allegedly to have coincided with a mass rally last Friday to mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of dictator Ferdinand Marcos.In pre-emptive moves, protests were banned and three officers including US-trained Brigadier General Danilo Lim were relieved of their commands and placed under investigation.Authorities have filed charges of rebellion and attempting a coup d’etat against 16 opposition figures including six leftist legislators.Police have been stationed at a small newspaper critical of the government, and broadcasters have been asked to restrain themselves so as not to provide “aid or support” to forces calling for Arroyo’s ousting.- Nampa-AFP