People Power Anniversary

On Sunday afternoon I am travelling to the Philippines. The last time I was there a coup attempt took place. It was a non-event. Now it looks like there could be another attempt next week -- although most reports minimize the possibility. It may make things interesting for my trip. Thank-you for your prayers! I will keep everyone posted. Right now we have a team of "educators" working with the pre-school teachers and we have a medical team travelling there soon.


Saturday, February 23, 2008 -- The Manila Times

Military braces for coup
New troops comeahead of rallies on EDSA anniversary
An Army unit has been deployed throughout Metro Manila to brace for a coup against the government of President Gloria Arroyo, the military said Friday.
“It [deployment] will form part of our operational readiness and contingencies to prevent any attempts [at a] power grab,” the region’s military commander Maj. Gen. Fernando Mesa told reporters.
The “only aim” of the deployment is “to preserve democracy, ensure that the Constitution is followed, that the laws of the land are enforced,” he said.
Mesa added that the authorities were not aware of any specific security threat, but that they fear Islamic militants could take advantage of rising political tensions to mount a terrorist attack on Metro Manila.
The Army battalion, comprising four companies of infantry and 32 tanks and armored vehicles, will beef up the security forces in Metro Manila, the country’s premier region.
The deployment came as opposition forces stepped up street protests calling for President Arroyo’s resignation over alleged corruption, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said.
Malacañang confirmed the apparent show of force, saying it was aimed at maintaining peace ahead of the planned public demonstrations against the Arroyo administration by opposition groups next week.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said security forces in Metro Manila were augmented to preempt any attempts by forces critical of the government to sow terror in the region.
He added that the move was a regular security procedure whenever there are big mass actions. Ermita said he hopes that the demonstrations will be peaceful.
The government, Ermita added, is not threatened by these street protests because it believes that the military is solidly behind it.

The government has declared a national holiday on Monday, as opposition forces plan public rallies to mark the 22nd anniversary of the bloodless, military-backed “people power” revolt that ousted then strongman President Ferdinand Marcos in 1986.
Mrs. Arroyo has fended off opposition calls for her resignation amid corruption allegations surrounding her husband and a key political ally over the controversial national broadband project. Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo and Benjamin Abalos Sr., resigned chairman of the Commission on Elections, have denied the charges.
Leaders of the country’s powerful Roman Catholic Church, some of whom are supporting the resignation calls, have called for their own prayer rally next week.
The Armed Forces said the public should not be alarmed by the arrival of fresh troops in Metro Manila since it was normal procedure and part of the military’s operational readiness.
Mesa said the Army battalion and the 32 tanks and armored vehicles will stay put at Camp Aguinaldo, the military’s general headquarters in Quezon City.
“They are available for anti­criminality [work] when requested by the police and they can be deployed [also] to prevent power grab,” he added.
Mesa calmed down the public on the rumors or threats circulating through text messages that the military is to withdraw its support for Mrs. Arroyo.
“And we would like to warn all those who would cross the line or challenge the duly constituted authorities that they will be met with the full force of the law,” he said. --Anthony Vargas, Angelo S. Samonte and AFP