2006 state of emergency in the Philippines

The coup attempt in the Philippines on 24 February 2006 was an attempt by military units of the Philippine armed forces, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo discontinued. However, security forces were able to thwart the attempt. Because there is no independent confirmation of the incident and the circumstances surrounding the coup attempt remain controversial.

The commander of the special forces, Brigadier General Danilo Lim, was arrested as the leader of the coup. Next to him were 16 other people, including opposition leaders, arrested in connection with the alleged coup attempt.

The president imposed a state of emergency in the course of the coup that puts the Constitution in parts other than force. This measure, however, was sharply criticized by senators and human rights associations and Arroyo was suspected of trying to turn this measure critics and opponents. During the emergency, at least 50 people were arrested.

On March 3, the state of emergency was lifted because of the risk of a coup was canceled.

Background

On February 25, 1986, the dictator Ferdinand Marcos was overthrown. Dictator Marcos had ruled the Philippines for a long time under martial law. On 24-25. February 2006 were planned for the 20th anniversary of his fall marches and celebrations.

President Arroyo had arrived on 20 January 2001, after several days of unrest against the allegedly involved in a corruption scandal then President Joseph Estrada as his deputy to power. But already in 2003 had officers mutinied and also accused her government corruption and manipulation of terror in the country. For official elections in 2004, Arroyo had been confirmed despite massive election fraud in office. In June 2005, there were allegations of electoral fraud (s). However, an impeachment by the opposition was defeated by Arroyo's ruling party.

Her husband Jose Miguel Tuason Arroyo fled shortly after allegations of corruption in the United States. This led to a feeling against Arroyo in the population.

The election fraud in 2004 can not be denied by Western standards: In each district Arroyo 's opponents got 0 votes in Cebu voices during an investigation rows filled out by the same handwriting, obstruction of investigations in the choice even vote buying ($ 5 / voice, which in many cases a multiple daily wage meant ), agricultural funds were to bribe governors abused, the alleged electoral fraud Garci (of the same scandal ) disappeared mysteriously some time, now he is under investigation because of pass forgery etc.

However, the alleged coup attempt was obviously to intimidate the opposition. General Lim was detained for months without charge in a prison without water and electricity.

Arroyo obviously afraid of being overthrown on the anniversary of the fall of the dictator F. Marcos himself of the impoverished masses of the population. Here it is likely the presence of the U.S. military have given during an exercise in Mindanao the necessary security that the less corrupt elements of the military, demanding her resignation, no real coup will make. For the 1st May, she wants to keep their arrangement for preventive, also violence of military and police, despite contrary order of the Supreme Court. Some 5,000 soldiers are mobilized.

The opposition press has contradictions out in finding of shells by security forces this time attributed to the Abu Sayyaf rebels.

During the coup attempt

At 00:00 clock on February 24 vehicles of the military were observed, drove to the Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City, Metro Manila. At 02:00 clock drove other vehicles to Camp Aguinaldo, the military headquarters, at the " Epifanio de los Santos Avenue " ( EDSA ) in Manila. Brigadier General Danilo Lim, other officers and a prominent columnist for the " Inquirers " were arrested.

Apparently they had planned, with about 200 soldiers to forcibly overthrow the President on February 25. An independent confirmation of the allegations did not exist. Arroyo said that the parts of the army ( whose party is banned in the Philippines ) with the Communists have joined forces to come to power.

After became known in July 2006 Details (including a video recording with General Lim's speech ) General Lim appears to have only deprived of the support of the President. He asked his own statements in accordance with his superiors for permission to take part in a large demonstration against the government.

On the other hand, existed in the group apparently plans in the event of a resignation by the President.

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Emergency

Arroyo was then impose emergency rule, which restricts fundamental rights of the Constitution. So people can arbitrarily arrested and demonstrations are prohibited.

The head of the armed forces, General Generoso Senga, secured on the same day the President to the support of the army and asked the public to report showy troop movements, because the danger is not yet completely overcome. Several senators called on the army and police not to enforce a state of emergency because it was illegal. The Christian churches rebelled against the state of emergency. It was announced to be assessed on the constitutionality of the state of emergency by the Supreme Court.

On Monday 27 February Arroyo extended a state of emergency after marines went on strike on Sunday. On March 3, she lifted the state of emergency.

Resolution of marches and arrests of opposition figures

As a result, the state of emergency all marches were banned that have been registered for the 20th anniversary of the fall of Marcos. Of the several marches were directed specifically against the policy Arroyos. A demonstration of 5000-9000 participants in the place where the coup was started 20 years ago, was disbanded by the police force.

The police arrested on February 25, many opposition, as Crispin Beltran, chairman of a left-wing political alliance. A total of about 50 people were arrested. Five leftist MPs had escaped her arrest, in which they had fled in the House of Representatives. The arrest warrants were declared in mid-April by a court in Manila unfounded and inadmissible.

The anti-government newspaper " Tribune " was placed under police supervision. As late as April, a journalist of Times Magazine on the initiative of the Minister of Justice was put on the black list of the Immigration Department for a report on the state of emergency.