Friday, February 24, 2006

State of emergency in Philippines


MANILA, Philippines (CNN) -- Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared a state of emergency after security forces thwarted what they said was a plot to overthrow her.

Clashes erupted as riot police used water cannon to disperse thousands of protesters defying a ban on rallying at a shrine to the 1986 "people power" uprising that toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos, The Associated Press reported.

Police used truncheons and shields to break up a stone-throwing group trying to gather for a second protest. Several people were arrested, while others were bloodied, AP said.

Several hours later, former President Corazon Aquino led a peaceful march of about 5,000 people and repeated calls for Arroyo to step down.

Arroyo issued her emergency declaration Friday during a television address in which she called for calm and said the Cabinet was firmly behind her.

MANILA, Philippines (CNN) -- Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared a state of emergency after security forces thwarted what they said was a plot to overthrow her.

Clashes erupted as riot police used water cannon to disperse thousands of protesters defying a ban on rallying at a shrine to the 1986 "people power" uprising that toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos, The Associated Press reported.

Police used truncheons and shields to break up a stone-throwing group trying to gather for a second protest. Several people were arrested, while others were bloodied, AP said.

Several hours later, former President Corazon Aquino led a peaceful march of about 5,000 people and repeated calls for Arroyo to step down.

Arroyo issued her emergency declaration Friday during a television address in which she called for calm and said the Cabinet was firmly behind her.

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