Senator Chiz Escudero of the opposition presents at a press conference in Manila enlarged reproduction of newspaper ads that tend to “condition the minds” of the public for a ruling against Estrada. (AP photo)
MANILA -- Ousted President Joseph Estrada accused President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Thursday of pressuring an anti-graft court to rule against him at his plunder trial, while his supporters warned of unrest if he is convicted.
President Arroyo’s administration denied the allegation, as rumors swirled that a three-judge panel could issue a verdict within weeks.
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Three inmates were killed and three others injured while escaping from the Lumbia City Jail in Barangay Lumbia at past 4 p.m. Thursday.
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Troops belonging to the Philippine Marines killed two gunmen, including a leader of a lawless group with ties to the al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf, in a firefight Thursday in the nearby island province of Basilan.
CEBU CITY -- A law graduate scheduled to take this year’s bar exams was killed Thursday when members of a gang and its allied fraternity shot two teenagers they mistook to be members of a rival group.
