| In this handout photo from Malacanang Palace, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo speaks on national television at the Malacanang Presidential Palace in Manila on Friday. Arroyo declared a state of emergency as she struggled with a reported coup plot and a possible repeat of the popular revolts that ousted two predecessors. (Malacanang photo) |
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MANILA (Updated 3:20 p.m.) -- Presidential Proclamation 1017 allows President Gloria Macagapal-Arroyo to command the Armed Forces to prevent or suppress all forms of lawless violence as well as any act of insurrection or rebellion.
Arroyo declared a state of national emergency shortly before lunch Friday, saying she had quashed a coup plot but that the Philippines still faced a "clear threat" from treasonous forces.
Clashes erupted as riot police used water cannons to disperse about 5,000 protesters defying a ban on rallying at a shrine to the 1986 "people power" uprising that toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
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