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
