Philippine VP warns against violence to oust Estrada

Vice President Arroyo

MANILA, Philippines (Reuters) -- Philippine Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo warned on Sunday against the use of violence to force out President Joseph Estrada, who faces an impeachment trial on corruption charges.

Resorting to violent methods "would only play into the hands of the apologists of the administration who would not hesitate to discredit the protest movement by picturing us as people of violence," Arroyo, leader of a campaign to pressure Estrada into resigning, told a Manila prayer rally.

The military earlier said communist rebels planned to instigate disorder at protest rallies which various opposition groups have lined up for this week in Manila to demand Estrada's resignation.

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Estrada, a former movie actor is facing an impeachment trial before the Senate on charges of taking millions of dollars in bribes from illegal gambling syndicates and pocketing excise taxes.

Estrada denies the charges and vows to vindicate his name in the trial opening on December 7.

"As the movement to convince President Estrada to resign intensifies, the question of the manner or form of the struggle becomes increasingly important," said Arroyo, a leader of the opposition and next in line of succession if Estrada is ousted.

"My appeal to all is let us concentrate on active, non-violent struggle," she added.

Police said about 12,000 people took part in the prayer rally held by the Jesus is Lord (JIL) group in a Manila park where, two weeks ago, about 1 million Filipinos gathered in a rally organized by another Christian group in support of Estrada.

"Rescue our president, deliver him from any bondage of false beliefs," JIL leader Eddie Villanueva told the crowd. "May the spirit of gallantry reign over him so that the decision he will make will not be for his own good but for God and the people."

Members of a Christian group in Manila gather on Sunday to pray for a fair impeachment trial of Estrada

A two-thirds majority in the 22-member Senate, or 15 votes, are needed to convict and remove Estrada from office. He needs eight to survive.

A series of defections has trimmed Estrada's once dominant, 14-member coalition in the Senate to five senators.

Ten senators are identified with the opposition while the rest, who comprise the so-called "swing vote," have declared themselves independent.

The Senate is to convene as an impeachment court on Tuesday to rule on Estrada's petition for the charges against him to be dismissed, ahead of next month's trial.

Copyright 2000 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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President Joseph "Erap" Ejercito Estrada
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's Website
Philippine House of Representatives

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