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Sunday, March 02, 2008
Statements in Makati rally 'analyzed' for sedition
MANILA -- All of the statements delivered during Friday night's interfaith rally in Makati City are now being studied for a possible sedition.
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. also admitted they went to National Police headquarters at Camp Crame to monitor the rally because of information it could turn into a "vigil."
Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo
"We're still analyzing the statements, I cannot make any statement in that direction," Gonzalez said when asked if they found the statements at Friday's rally seditious.
Many of the speakers at the rally called on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to step down in the wake of corruption charges stemming from the questionable US$329-million national broadband network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp.
President Arroyo and several officials monitored the progress of the rally at the National Police headquarters at Camp Crame. The rally ended peacefully.
The police and military earlier made a massive show of force, getting 5,000 augmentation forces from Luzon and guarding the Edsa Shrine in Mandaluyong City.
For its part, the military's Metro Manila command brought in 11 armored vehicles to Camp Aguinaldo.
Gonzalez also said they monitor the situation because they had information the protesters planned to stay on.
"There had been information after 8 p.m. that they will not leave, so we had to look at the situation carefully. There are some reports to that effect. As far as we are concerned, we'll see to it that it is not violent and the safety of the country will be properly safeguarded," he said.
Gonzalez admitted that they are treading on dangerous grounds in revoking the pardon for former president Joseph Estrada, who took part in Friday's rally.
Estrada earlier joined calls for Arroyo to resign her post.
"That is a problem that must be studied very, very carefully. It could create more problems than what it is already," Gonzalez said. (JMR/Sunnex)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star General Santos. (March 2, 2008 issue)
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