Manila, Aug 28: Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has accused "disgruntled and disenfranchised politicians" of trying to destabilise her government, but maintains she has the backing of the security forces in the wake of last month's failed army mutiny. "We are prepared to throw the book against those who cross the line between legitimacy and lawlessness," she said today.
Arroyo denounced "a confluence of conspiracies to erode the foundations of our democratic system" and said those behind the attempts had launched "a combined assault consisting of overt acts and propaganda tirades."
But she said the "desperate efforts" will not succeed. The military and police remain loyal to her government and will "not hesitate to do their work", she said.
Arroyo's warning came as National Security Adviser Roilo Golez told the senate that authorities had prevented a planned anti-government rally from being held at a democracy shrine this week "so that it would not deteriorate into something that could become a threat to the security of the country".
The shrine has an immense symbolic significance in Philippine politics. It was the site of the February 1986 "people power" revolt that ousted late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
Demonstrations there also helped force then-president Joseph Estrada from office in January 2001 in favour of Arroyo. Estrada is now detained while on trial for massive corruption.
Bureau Report