Major developments for May 1
Balita News Group
Dispersal of rallyists ordered
MANILA -- Anti-riot police and military men dispersed supporters of ousted
President Joseph Estrada who were demonstrating at the EDSA Shrine the past
six days and later tried to storm Malacanang before dawn today. The police
and military contingents exercised maximum tolerance before violence broke
out before daybreak near the gate of Malacanang on Mendiola and J.P. Laurel
Streets in Manila. Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan said
the dispersal was necessary to restore law and order. He stressed the
situation is under control.
Enrile disclaims responsibility for Malacanang attack
Manila - Reelectionist Senator Juan Ponce Enrile said he had nothing to do
with the pro-Erap group who stormed the gates of Malacanang at dawn today.
In a radio interview monitored by the Philippines News Agency, Enrile
claimed that, on the contrary, he had advised the supporters of deposed
President Estrada not to make any drastic action. When asked what should be
done to pacify the demonstrators, Enrile said it is only Estrada who could
make his followers withdraw. Enrile also said that Estrada called him
earlier and asked him why he was being brought to his detention cell in
Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
-----
Pro-Erap demonstrators attack Malacanang
Manila - Supporters of deposed President Joseph Estrada managed to cross
Mendiola bridge and reach the main gate of Malacanang. As of 6:30 a.m. some
of the demonstrators are still milling outside Malacanang despite the
warning shots of the presidential guards. Metro Manila Development
Authority Chairman Benjamin Abalos, in a radio interview monitored by the
Philippines News Agency, said he was in Mendiola bridge when the
demonstrators approached. Sensing that it would be useless to dialogue with
the demonstrators, Abalos said he enjoined the anti-Erap group who kept
vigil at the Mendiola bridge to seek refuge inside the San Beda compound.
-----
Former Pres. Estrada transferred to new detention center in Laguna
MANILA -- Jailed former President Joseph Estrada was whisked away this
morning from the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City to a new
detention center in Laguna to secure him from possible harm following an
unruly demonstration near Malacanang in Manila. Estrada was transferred to
his new cell at Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna at around 6 a.m.
after law enforcers moved to disperse his supporters who breached a police
barricade near the gates of Malacanang before dawn. The former President
had been detained earlier inside the police headquarters at Camp Crame
since he was ordered arrested by the Sandiganbayan last Wednesday on the
charge of economic plunder, a non-bailable offense punishable by death. He
was accused of illegally amassing billions of pesos during his 31 months in
office.
-----
Pro-Estrada crowd marches to Malacanang
MANILA -- Thousands of die-hard and angry supporters of ousted President
Joseph Estrada marched toward Malacanang and tried to storm the gates of
the Palace at dawn today, but were held back by government security forces
using tear gas and water cannons. At least one policeman was killed when he
was hit by a home-made shotgun, according to Director General Leandro
Mendoza, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP). Officials estimated
the pro-Estrada crowd that reached the vicinity of Gate 7 of Malacanang at
between 5,000 and 8,000. The demonstrators, who had converged at the EDSA
Shrine at the boundary of Quezon City and Mandaluyong City for the last six
days, surged towards Malacanang after midnight, determined to enter
forcefully the Palace grounds.
-----
"Over our dead bodies" -- Villanueva
MANILA -- "Over our dead bodies!" This was the statement of Armed Forces
Chief of Staff Gen. Diomedio P. Villanueva following a failed attempt by
thousands of supporters of jailed former President Joseph Estrada to seize
Malacanang early dawn today. "They cannot take Malacanang," Villanueva said
at a press conference in Camp Aguinaldo where government troops have been
on a heightened alert since last Wednesday. Thousands of pro-Estrada
demonstrators started to move towards Malacanang in Manila from the EDSA
Shrine in Quezon City, some 10 kilometers away, at 1:00 o'clock this
morning. Police had set up barricades on all roads leading to the
Presidential Palace but these were destroyed by the demonstrators who were
armed with stones, sticks and at least a home-made shotgun known as
"surit-surit."
-----
First Gentleman calls for peace and unity
MANILA - Even before the protesting former President Estrada's sympathizers
tried to overcome Malacanang early Tuesday morning, First Gentleman Atty.
Jose Miguel T. Arroyo has called for peace and unity, saying that it's time
to think of the country's interest. "It's time for peace, we should let
this go, we should move forward, we should now think of the country," Atty.
Arroyo said. The First Gentleman took time to hurl the call Thursday
afternoon during a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 93rd
Philippine Dental Association (PDA) annual convention and scientific
session held at the Philippine International Covention Center. Mr. Arroyo
said enough damage has been done by the present situation. "It's now time
for peace, time to rebuild, time to let them (Estrada's loyalists) know
that these things should not happen, enough is enough," he pointed out.
-----
President Arroyo to lead Labor Day celebration
MANILA - Barely 100 days into her administration, President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo will lead the nation in its celebration of Labor Day
honoring the country's 31 million workers and citing their role as a major
component of the economy. In her message, the President welcomed the
occasion as an opportunity for strengthening national unity to foster
workers' progress and welfare. Mrs. Arroyo believed that unity would pave
the way for the working class to have enough stable jobs, decent wages, and
the opportunity for professional upliftment and prosperous living. The
President assured workers that her administration would closely look after
their welfare being an integral part of the nation's economy.
-----
Rains dispersed EDSA crowd
MANILA - A sudden heavy downpour in the midst of an intense summer heat
this afternoon dispersed the tumultuous huge rally by pro-Estrada groups at
the historic EDSA Shrine. The rally, now on its fifth day, dissipated when
the demonstrators, mostly poor people of Metro Manila and neighboring
provinces, were caught by surprise of the summer rain. They ran for shelter
under the overpasses and buildings nearby such as the Robinson Galleria and
SM Mega Mall. Tension was high for the past five days as the demonstrators
shouted at the top of their voice at the unfolding EDSA 3 with a threat to
storm Malacanang or attack Camp Crame to force President Arroyo to stepdown.
-----
GMA receives overwhelming pledge of support
MANILA - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo continued today to receive
overwhelming pledges of support from various sectors of the country amid
destabilization attempts by supporters of disgraced former President Joseph
Estrada. In Central Luzon, non-government organizations have condemned the
destabilization moves of supporters of Estrada and vowed that they would
similarly mobilize their members in support of the President. "We have a
legitimate government now. It has the support of the business sector, the
youth who were actively involved with EDSA II and the international
community, " said Fr. Deo Galang of SACOP, the Social Action Center of
Pampanga.
-----
DTI to establish One-Stop Action Center for SMEs
MANILA - The Department of Trade Industry (DTI) will establish a One-Stop
Action Center designed at centralizing its various services to the small
and medium enterprises (SMEs). "Until now, our service to the SMEs are
dispersed. We have to get them together so services be provided more
efficiency,"Trade Secretary Mar Roxas said in a recent National Conference
of Employers. Roxas said the department's services to the SMEs include
product development,exports promotion, training,marketing promotion and
credit availment,among others. The concept was patterned after the
Investment One-Stop Action Center (OSAC) established by the Board of
Investments. OSAC is designed at enabling investors finish most of their
transactions under one roof.
-----
Filipino corp.to set up cold storage/food processing plant in Subic
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT -- The Freeport will soon become a very important factor
in developing the country's capa- bility to contribute to the growing
global demand for fresh food products. Pescanova Inc., Filipino-owned
corportion engaged in processing and import trading of fresh food products
like pork, beef and sea- food, recently proposed the setting up of a
processing and cold storage facility in the freeport. During the presence
of the US Naval base here, the facility housed one of the biggest cold
storage at Bldg.1034 and Bldg. 1024 of the Naval Supply Depot containing
cold provisions for the navy supply.
-----
Gordon cites LGU's role in promoting tourism
MANILA - Cooperation between the Department of Tourism and the local
government units (LGUs) is vital in promoting the country's tourist
destinations, according to Tourism Secretary Richard J. Gordon. Gordon
recently opened the Negros Tourism Summit in Bacolod City, formally forging
a partnership between the DOT and LGU's in promoting tourism. Speaking
before local and foreign businessmen and non-governmental organizations
(NGOs), Gordon urged the LGUs to cooperate with the DOT in revitalizing not
only Negros tourist spots but all of the country's top tourist
destinations. The tourism chief is keeping a positive outlook on tourism
despite negative reports in the international media brought about by
kidnappings and a secessionist war in Mindanao last year.
-----
Shipping industry urged to meet global challenges
CEBU CITY - The domestic shipping firms need to institute internal changes
to prepare for the challenges brought about by globalization, according to
a shipping executive. "We are entering globalization. We are now down to
two choices -- either we change or we allow the events to change us," said
WG&A vice chairman Bob Gothong. Gothong noted that the domestic shipping
industry has to evolve to prepare for tough times ahead. "Today's problems
need new solution," he said, adding that shipping firms have their own
responsibilities.
Tourist arrivals in Cebu register growth
CEBU CITY - Tourist arrivals in Cebu grew slightly during the first two
months of the year 2001, according to data from the Department of Tourism
(DOT) regional office. Total arrivals grew by 12.18 percent, from 132,160
in the same period in 2000 to 148,263 this year. However, international
tourists only rose by 1.25 percent, up from 56,055 in 2000 to 56,758 in
2001. Domestic arrivals made up for the slowdown of the growth of
international arrivals. Domestic tourists grew by 20.24 percent, from
76,105 in 2000 to 91.505 in 2001.
-----
MMDA to reimplement waste segregation starting May 1
MANILA - The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will reimplement the
waste segregation scheme starting Tuesday with great hopes that the public
will adopt the practice after several attempts failed to institutionalize
the scheme. MMDA Chairman Benjamin S. Abalos, who returned from an
emergency Cabinet meeting in Malacanang, told reporters the scheme would
restart May 1 despite the current political conflict. "We cannot put on
hold our efforts of solid waste management even during this time of
political conflict. We shall reimplement waste segregation as mandated by
Republic Act No. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Law," Abalos
said. The Metrowide reimplementation of waste segregation was agreed upon
during a meeting of the MMDA, the Association of Barangay Captains and the
Solid Waste Contractors Association of the Philippines (SWACAP) held last
Monday.
-----
Value of production index of manufacturing sector rise by 6%
MANILA - The value of production index (VaPI) of the manufacturing sector
rose by six percent to 585.3 in February from last year's 552.2. Government
data show this was mainly due to increases in 14 out of 16 major sectors,
led by wearing apparel and petroleum refineries which rose by 39.8 percent
and 29.2 percent, respectively. Transport equipment and wood and wood
products declined by 34.6 percent and 23.9 percent. The National Statistics
Office (NSO) said the value of net sales in February also rose by 21.2
percent as against last year's. Fifteen of 16 major manufacturing posting
25 percent growth.
-----
Reyes laughs off junta yarn
MANILA, Apr. 30 (PNA) - Defense Secretary Angelo T. Reyes today laughed off
reports of a military junta branding it as "baseless, unfounded
politically- motivated rumor." "There is no threat whatsover of a military
junta," Reyes told defense reporters following rumors flying thick and thin
apparently floated by politicians supporting jailed president Joseph
Estrada. The 64-year old former president was arrested last week on plunder
charges. He asked the people to stay calm and not to believe this wild
rumor apparently peddled as a disinformation to sow confusion in the midst
of a crisis.
-----
GMA releases P278M for purchase of tractors for sugar farmers
MANILA - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today ordered the release of an
initial P278 million under the P600-million Agricultural Competitiveness
Enhancement Fund (ACEF) to finance the purchase of tractors for small
farmers to enable them to modernize their operations. The President issued
the directive to Budget Secretary Emilia Boncodin following her dialogue in
Malacanang with the officials of the Confederation of Sugar Producers
Associations, Inc. (CSPAI) and the Philippine Sugar Millers Association,
Inc. (PSMAI) recently. During the dialogue, industry leaders pointed out
that in order to protect the industry against the possible entry of cheap,
dumped sugar, they suggested that the tariff for sugar be brought back to
80 percent.
-----
AFP to crush any coup plot
MANILA -- The military said today it will crush decisively any armed group
that might try to overthrow the government. "We have enough firepower to
confront any armed group. We are organized and we are better led," Armed
Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan told a press conference in Camp
Aguinaldo as the government continued to monitor a huge rally near the EDSA
Shrine by supporters and sympathizers of deposed President Joseph Estrada.
Saying that the military is not taking any chances in the unfolding events,
Adan said that Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Diomedio Villanueva has
ordered the re-deployment of the 68th Infantry Battalion to beef up
government forces in Metro Manila. The Army battalion which arrived Sunday
night from Northern Luzon will augment the 2,000-man Task Force Libra, a
rapid deployment force of the AFP formed only last Friday to augment
government forces in containing any outbreak of unrest in the National
Capital Region (NCR).