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Sunday, May 09, 2004
Gov’t accused of raining on opposition parade (2:22 p.m.)
MANILA -- The air of intrigue around the elections took a new twist Sunday with allegations that air force planes caused a huge rainstorm that washed out the opposition's final rally.
The opposition claimed two million people were expected at Saturday's closing rally in Manila, but the first heavy rainstorm of the year struck hours before and barely 10,000 people appeared.
A statement from opposition candidate Fernando Poe Jr. said the rain had been artificially induced by the government.
“About an hour into the rally, text messages were received by some newsmen and Poe supporters that a couple of air force planes had taken off for cloud seeding operations,” said the statement.
“Twenty minutes later the skies darkened and rain suddenly fell from the clouds that suddenly appeared over the rally site.”
Prisco Nilo, deputy director of the government weather service, denied any skullduggery.
“We did not conduct any cloud-seeding. Thunderstorms are normal during this time of year,” he said.
Campaigning for Monday's elections has been extremely bitter. AFP |
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