Warning of fresh Philippines unrest

Anti-Estrada and pro-Estrada protests have caused headaches for authorities

MANILA, Philippines -- The threat of a fresh wave of massive public protests next week has triggered action by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

A previous round of anti-government demonstrations in late April that began with the arrest of former President Joseph Estrada ended in an assault on the presidential palace in which six people died.

Arroyo warned Friday of a plot to destabilize her government with more protests, but she did not identify the organizers.

Arroyo, who replaced Estrada as president, said the next protests will coincide with his arraignment on corruption counts in Manila on Wednesday.

In a speech marking the thirteenth anniversary of a government land reform program, she said the plot would include a "repeat of what happened from April 25 to May 1."

"Let us work together to prevent that . . . from happening and sowing mayhem," she said.

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After her speech, police asked the anti-graft court, Sandiganbayan, to hold the Estrada arraignment hearing at a government hospital where he is being detained, not the courthouse where it is normally held.

"There are reports of activities that can ripen into another state of rebellion," Doroteo Reyes, a lawyer for the Philippine National Police, told the court.

"This is not an overstatement but an honest assessment of the situation."

He said at least 3,000 policemen would be needed to provide security during the arraignment.

The court did not immediately make a decision about Reyes' request.

It was the second time this week that Arroyo has issued a warning.

On Tuesday, she said the abduction the previous day of the daughter of a wealthy ethnic Chinese businessman in Manila was part of a plot to destabilize her government.

She said the kidnappers did not want a ransom, they wanted to show that kidnapping is widespread in the capital.

Wealthy targeted

For years, kidnappings for ransoms have been reported in Manila, often targeting the wealthy ethnic Chinese community but also sometimes involving visitors from overseas.

Estrada was forced to step down as president in January amid massive anti-corruption protests, and Arroyo, then his vice president, assumed the presidency.

Estrada was charged with economic plunder, a non-bailable capital crime, and arrested April 25.

His arrest triggered protests by his supporters who occupied a major intersection in Manila for six days. On May 1, about 50,000 of the protesters assaulted the presidential palace.

Officials then said the assault was part of a plot to overthrow the government, kill Arroyo and Estrada, and install a junta that would include several opposition leaders.

Several opposition figures, including two recently elected senators, have been accused of taking part in the alleged plot.

The opposition has denied any such role.

After the assault on the presidential palace, Arroyo declared a weeklong "state of rebellion," which allowed her to order the arrest of alleged plotters without a warrant.