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Che ©amecock Arroyo moves 5 to halt uprising I I 'State of rebellion' declared by president of Philippines by Paul Alexander Associated Press 1 MANILA, Philippines — President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared a “state of rebellion” Tuesday, assuming special powers to quash any remnants of deadly protests aimed at restoring her jailed predecessor to power. Arroyo's move followed an attempt by thousands of supporters of jailed former President Joseph Estrada to storm the gates of the presidential palace before dawn. Clashes between the demonstrators and security forces, which left four dead and more than 100 injured, persisted sporadically until afternoon, when police dispersed the last pockets of mostly poor, young men armed with rocks and clubs. “Tliis is not just a demonstration. Tliis is a rebellion,” government spokesman Kigooerto l lgiao saia. The order was restricted to Manila and fell short of martial law as Arroyo continued to walk lightly in dealing with the protests. After being swept to power in the Philippines when mass protests forced Estrada to leave the presidential palace Jan. 20, she has told police to use “maximum restraint” on peaceful rallies. The order, however, did give police the power to make arrests without warrants. Justice Secretary Hernando Perez immediately ordered 11 opposition leaders arrested for allegedly inciting and orchestrating what started as a post midnight march by Estrada backers who had rallied for the last six days, demanding the former action film star be freed from jail. Estrada was arrested last week on the charge of plunder for allegedly pocketing millions of dollars in bribes and kickbacks ‘ during 31 months hi office. Most on the wanted list have large followings in the Estrada camp. At least ‘This is not just a \ demonstration. This is a rebellion.’ 4 Rigoberto Tiglao f Government spokesman J three, including Sen. Juan Ponce I Enrile, were in custody late Thesday. But i former national police chief Panfilo T Lacson, a candidate for Senate, said he j told his lawyers to question the order. ? Arroyo, who said Monday a coup 1 plan fizzled hours before from lack of 4 support, looked exhausted as she went J on national television Thesday morning t after huddling all night with her Cabinet l and directing operations from inside the 4 palace. She later gave interviews to TV > networks to offer reassurances to the J unsettled nation. f “I can say to all of you that your j government is in control,” she said. “The < enemies are on the run. The police and i the military are united behind the < government, and I thank them for their J heroic deeds today. We don't have to panic, < but we should also not be overconfident.” ] She claimed Estrada and his allies incensed J supporters in an effort to seize power for S their own benefit. J But the worst crisis of her fledgling f administration appeared to be over — for J now. c Military spokesman Brig. Gen. j Edilberto Adan said the military may set A up checkpoints. Talks of a possible curfew \ failed to materialize, and the sprawling capital appeared largely quiet Thesday j evening. But a highly charged campaign for J the May 14 congressional and local t elections is heading into the fmal stretch, ^ and Estrada's corruption trial looms, < providing opportunities for future i flashpoints. < rl i FREE GIFTS TO 50 \ OF THE LAST PEOPLE t IN ATTENDANCE! ] Mark your calendars now — it's BACK! ] Semi-Annual USC STRESS BLOWOUT j "LATE NIGHT AT THE BLATT" | Wednesday, May 2, 2001 • 6 pm -12 midnight | Blatt P.E. Center I •—*55S.-“—' 1 . fOOD • DOU V ALCOHOL f SZ^DRUG I PROGRAMS j All activities are free and open to USC students only! Bring your valid student ID! T Actual events may change due to funding or programmatic decisions. This event is paid for with student activity fees. S And give fear a swift kick in the ass. Build your first resume. Explore industries you never knew existed. Get interview advice on the college channel. Visit your future @ HotJobs.com.