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Saturday, February 25, 2006
Editorials: State of emergency
It is not coincidental that coup jitters swept Metro Manila in the days leading to the 20th anniversary of Edsa 1, a development used by the Arroyo administration as basis to declare a state of national emergency.
The Edsa 1 celebration is not only an occasion for forces ranged against President Arroyo to gather, it is also symbolic of these forces’ intentions.
One should not be surprised then that so-called destabilizers, the favorite term of the government for coup plotters, would time their operation on that occasion, or at least fan rumors about a power grab at that time.
Military
What is noticeable in the latest political turmoil is the possibility that the coup dynamics will finally merge with the buildup of rallies in the streets, sparking a People Power situation or a violent confrontation between government and protesters.
While in the past days Malacañang did acknowledge the participation of only a few junior military officers in a coup attempt, the state of emergency declaration may have meant it initially underestimated the threat and are only now making up.
And if the Armed Forces and to a certain extent the Philippine National Police are not fully loyal to the chain of command, that could strengthen the position of the anti-Arroyo groups now roaming the streets.
Confrontation
This does not mean, though, that the mere merging of the initiatives between street protesters and disgruntled elements of the military and police would already spell the end of the Arroyo administration.
The key is still the temperament of majority of the people, or their response to calls for another uprising to topple President Arroyo from her perch.
The problem is when, without the balance tilting to either side, the Arroyo administration will harden further the stance it adopted with the declaration of a state of emergency and anti-Arroyo groups will continue to move towards a confrontation.
In that case, the eruption of violence would be highly possible.
Greater good
It would be good then to ask both sides to consider the greater good.
The Arroyo administration, for example, should be judicious in its use of whatever power is at its disposal under the state of emergency declaration or lift it immediately once the coup attempt has been quashed.
Anti-Arroyo groups, on the other hand, should make sure its actions are peaceful and that those with questionable intentions won’t be able to exploit them and the situation.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (February 25, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
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