Trillanes, Lim walk out of court, call for Arroyo ouster

[neilski "mr.pogi"]

(Updated 2:10 p.m.) Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and Brigadier Gen. Danilo Lim walked out of a Makati City courtroom and called upon the Filipino people to withdraw support from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Lim, who faces court martial proceedings in connection with the uprising on February 24 last year, was testifying on the coup d'etat case against the Magdalo Group when the incident occurred.

Asked what they were clamoring for, Trillanes said: "Bumaba sa puwesto [si Arroyo]. Tama na ang pahirap as bayan (That Gloria Arroyo step down. The hardships of the nation are too much)."

Mrs Arroyo took over the presidency when predecessor Joseph Estrada was ousted in the country's second ''people power'' revolt in January 2001, and opponents have criticized the legitimacy of her rule ever since. She also has been fighting allegations that she rigged the 2004 elections that gave her a six-year term.

''We tried to restore legitimacy, but she used naked power ... to frustrate us,'' Lim said. ''We should use all we can to prevent the sliding back into corruption. We are withdrawing support from this government and other units will also do so.''

For his part, Lim said: "With all the avenues closed, no other means remain but for the officers of the AFP and the PNP to exercise their constitutional mandate ... against this unjust and illegitimate president."

Lim served as negotiator during the height of the Oakwood Mutiny, which was launched by Trillanes and the Magdalo Group on July 27, 2003.

He was summoned as a witness for the defense panel over the Oakwood incident. Judge Oscar Pimentel of the Makati RTC-Branch 148 is the magistrate handling the coup d'etat case.

The group of Trillanes and Lim marched with about 50 people, including armed men in military uniforms who wore the Magdalo insignia on their arms, the Manila Peninsula Hotel also in Makati.

Former Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr, a staunch critic of President Arroyo, and Argee Guevarra, lawyer for the Laban ng Masa group, also marched with the soldiers.

"This march is a march for freedom and the assertion of the people's rights," Guingona said.

He said later in the day that, "Ito ang bagong EDSA, ito ang bagong People Power (This is the new EDSA, this is the new People Power). Let us all unite, let us not be afraid," Guingona said at a press conference at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City.

Two Catholic bishops critical of the Arroyo administration went to the Manila Peninsula hotel, where Trillanes and Lim proceeded after the march.

Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias, Infanta Bishop Emeritus Julio Labayen as well as Fr. Robert Reyes were seen going into the Rizal function room at the hotel's second floor where Trillanes and Lim held a closed-door meeting, separate reports said.

Journalists were barred from entering the meeting room, and were told to stay at the third floor lobby. Trillanes' group assured journalists will be given updates.

In a separate interview with GMA Flash Report, Trillanes appealed for popular support.

"Ito po ay panawagan ng pagbabago. Ang naniniwala po na dapat tayo makaahon sa kahirapan, pumunta na po kayo sa Makati (This is a call for change. All those who believe that we should rise from poverty, join us and come here in Makati)," Trillanes said.

GMA News Flash Report said Trillanes used his cell phone several times and was apparently talking with some people in the "Armed Forces." It was not clear what the nature of these phone conversations were.

Armed Forces spokesman Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro downplayed the actions of Trillanes and Lim, even as he continued monitoring radio reports about developments in Makati City.

"Wala namang problema (It's no problem), they are just giving their statement," Bacarro told GMANews.TV in a telephone interview.

Bacarro confirmed that Lim and Trillanes' escorts are still with them. "Kasama ang escorts (The escorts are with them). Their escorts continue to guard them," Bacarro said.

When asked if this action was sanctioned by or was coordinated with the military, Bacarro said: "I will check." - GMANews.TV

[neilski "mr.pogi"]

Transcript: Statement of Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, Magdalo soldier


After storming out of the Makati City Regional Trial Court on Thursday, Senator Antonio Trillanes and Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim marched to the Manila Peninsula Hotel where they read statements in front of members of the media.

Following is the transcript of Lim's statement which he read during the conference:

"Today, we address all decent Filipinos to announce that now is the time to end the sufferings and miseries inflicted upon us by the illegitimate Gloria Macapagal Arroyo government and start a new life, a new Philippines. The die is cast pursuant to our constitutional mandate as protector of the people and state.

And by these acts the officers and men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police supported by the masses of our people and the various political forces give substance to the constitutional provisions which says the Philippines is a democratic and republican state.

Sovereign peace resides in the people and all government authority emanate from them. That we take the faithful steps of removing Mrs Arroyo from the presidency and undertake the formation of a new government.

Mrs Arroyo had occupied the presidency under a questionable mandate publicly disputed by a vast majority of Filipinos. She stole the presidency from President Estrada through unconstitutional and deceitful means and later manipulated the results of the 2004 elections to perpetuate herself in power.

We have individually and collectively tried all means to resolve this legitimacy issue through the normal electoral, juidicial, and congressional processes but Mrs Arroyo used naked power through the issuance of Executive Order 464 and other executive proclamations and the sheer weight of numbers to paralyze the impeachment process procured at the people's great expense to fustrate us at every turn.

After all these have failed our people tried to air their grievances in peaceful street assemblies. They thought they were exercising a combination of constitutional right which no official or agency of government may legally abridge but they were stopped and dispersed violently with cannons from firemen and truncheons from the police.

The abuses of our government continue the deliberate the deliberate refusal or failure of the dubious leaders to castigate and prosecute the people responsible for the scandalous Hello, Garci electoral cheating, the Joc-joc Bolante multi million peso fertilizer scam, Impsa bribery, the Jose Pidal and Jueteng scandals involving billions of public funds, the North Rail Project, scandal, the Venable contract scandal, the NBN scandal, the wholesale bribery of congressmen in Malacañang as well as the unabated and unresolved extrajudicial killings of citizens particularly journalists and members of the judiciary and the use of military and police officers for some unlawful mission.

Among others, these are clear proof of her failure for good and decent governance. There are numerous illegal and immoral activities and transactions conducted by these government with impunity that betray the citizens and the state of their pristine right to exist as a people with decency, dignity and integrity.

With all the avenues closed by the use of naked force, no other means remain but for the officers and men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to exercise their constitutional mandate and to take the side of the sovereign people against this illegitimate and unjust president.

We take due indulgence and apologize for any untoward disruptions attendant to fighting this righteous cause.

We are confident that the will of the sovereign people will prevail. The end of the corrupt and vicious government and its bogus leaders is long overdue.

We support the political and economic reforms that will be initiated by the new government regardless of the personal cause it may impose on each one of us.

We therefore call on our people and all the government around the world to give the constitutional rescue initiated by our patriotic brothers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police a chance to work.

To the task of organizing a new government and pursuing a program of total and no nonsense reform, we commit our full support.

We shall do whatever we can too to prevent any backsliding to the corruption and abuse of power of the immediate past and advance the cause of truth, freedom and justice, peace and progress for all Filipinos. God bless the Filipino people. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas
--

Mar Roxas, Noynoy Aquino to Trillanes: Be calm, don't spill blood


Sen. Mar Roxas on Thursday urged his colleague Sen. Antonio Trillanes to “be calm, and do not bring this to a point where our people’s blood will be shed," adding that “we hear the frustration, the cynicism, the estrangement from the government that is in your voice and in your positions."

“Itong pag-walkout ay pagpapakita ng pagka-sawa sa ‘business-as-usual.’ Ang sagot dito, hindi lamang kamay na bakal upang pambawi sa sa mga nag-walkout dito at pagpapahayag ng kanilang mga pananaw, pero makabuluhang programa ng mga reporma na siyang tutulong talaga sa ating mga kababayan," Roxas said in a statement.

Roxas noted that while good economic statistics continue to adorn the headlines, "these are hardly felt by Juan dela Cruz... the people’s right to the rule of law is being violated by the government itself through disappearances of activists and journalists, the subversion of institutions and checks and balances, and the suppressing of information on key government undertakings and contracts."

Roxas joined Sen. Noynoy Aquino, a fellow Liberal Party leader, in issuing a call for the “observance of the rule of law by all sides, not just Trillanes and Lim, but as well as the military and police." The two senators spoke at the Kapihan sa Senado, a few minutes after the trillanes-Lim walkout was staged.

“Hindi lamang doon sa mga nagmamartsa sa Makati ngayon, isama na rin natin ang lahat ng nasa gobyerno. Sana’y di tayo humantong sa panahon ng desperation o frustration, na maaaring sumiklab sa isang bagay na hindi natin magugustuhan," Aquino said.

Aquino, meanwhile, noted that Filipinos have started to “vote with their feet" as Overseas Filipino Workers due to loss of hope in their own country. He also recounted a report that some poor Filipinos have already sold their kidneys just to have additional income at the expense of their health.

“Masasabi nating marami sa mga tao sa bayan natin ngayon ang frustrated. Sana hindi tayo humantong sa panahong sobrang puno na ang tao at wala nang pag-asa," he stressed. - GMANews.TV

[neilski "mr.pogi"]

PNP imposes 3 p.m. deadline for Trillanes, Lim to surrender


The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday afternoon gave Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim until 3 p.m. to peacefully surrender to authorities, as it ordered the evacuation of guests and personnel inside the Manila Peninsula Hotel.

QTV said according to Dir. Geary Barias, chief of PNP's National Capital Region Police Office, police negotiators have already initiated talks with Trillanes and Lim's camp for a peaceful surrender.

Barias said Sr. Supt. Jaime Calungsod Jr and Sr. Supt. Geronimo Reside are negotiating for Trillanes and Lim's surrender.

Both Calungsod and Reside belong to the Philippine Military Academy class of 1978 that adopted Lim - a West Point graduate of the same year - as its member.

In the meantime, Barias asked hotel personnel and guests billeted inside the Manila Peninsula Hotel where Trillanes and Lim are currently holed in to leave the area.

The report said that while Barias was hoping that the impasse would be peacefully resolved, the police is ready to use force against the group of Trillanes and Lim. - GMANews.TV

[SoyTee]

What's next?

[neilski "mr.pogi"]

(Update) National Police in full alert

The National Police on Thursday placed the National Capital Region on full alert after Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and other soldiers walked out from a court hearing and took over a Makati hotel.

Chief Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao, PNP spokesman, said Director General Avelino Razon has directed the entire PNP to be placed under full alert status effective 11:00 a.m..

Pagdilao said checkpoints and chokepoints will be set up to prevent "bad elements" from taking advantage of the situation.

Razon assigned Chief Superintendent Luizo Ticman, Southern Police District chief, as the immediate ground commander at the Manila Peninsula Hotel.

The PNP's Special Action Forces and some elements of the military have barricaded the premises of the hotel. - GMANews.TV

[neilski "mr.pogi"]

Pro-government troops moving into hotel's vicinity
11/29/2007 | 03:27 PM

Pro-government have started closing in on the Manila Peninsula Hotel, in what is perceived as a preparation for a possible assault on the hotel in a bid to rearrest Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim.

GMA News reported that as of 3:20 p.m., fully armed military special forces units that were previously stationed at the EDSA corner Ayala Ave. have started to move towards the vicinity of the hotel.

Video taken of the troops moving towards the hotel showed that they were being escorted by armored personnel carriers. - GMANews.TV

[neilski "mr.pogi"]

Trillanes asks hotel guests not to leave

11/29/2007 | 03:36 PM

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV issued a message Thursday urging hotel guests to remain in their room, radio DZBB reported.

Trillanes also rejected the warrant of arrest served on him by police.

[neilski "mr.pogi"]

2 civilians taken out of Manila Peninsula after successive gunshots

11/29/2007 | 05:06 PM

Two civilians were moved out from the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City past 5 p.m. Thursday after successive gunshots were heard at the establishment, GMANews reported.

GMA News reporter Raffy Tima said he saw the two civilians who were boarded on an ambulance of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Savings Loan Association Incorporation outside the hotel.

Tima said that according to authorities the two civilians were hurt from successive firing at the hotel.


APC enters main entrance of Manila Pen

11/29/2007 | 05:13 PM

An armored personnel carrier entered the main entrance of the Manila Peninsula at around 5:09 p.m. on Thursday, as government forces continued their assault on the hotel that had earlier been taken over by Magdalo troops led by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim.

This was reported live over GMA News by reporter Michael Fajatin who is on the scene.

A few minutes earlier, two civilians who came from inside the hotel were rushed to a governament ambulance, shortly after police and military forces fired tear gas inside the lobby of the hotel.

Raffy Tima of GMA News, who witnessed the action, reported live that the civilians were not wounded. The civilians were not identified.

A GMA news crew, led by systems engineer Allan Gutierrez, were among the media personnel that remain trapped inside the Manila Peninsula as fumes from tear gas lodged by government forces filled the lobby of the Makati hotel that had earlier been taken over by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.

[neilski "mr.pogi"]

Trillanes, Magdalo group to surrender

Rebel soldiers calling for the resignation of President Arroyo are set to surrender Thursday after taking over the Manila Peninsula in Makati.

A dzMM report said Sen Antonio Trillanes IV and Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim will come out of the hotel so as not to endanger the lives of civilians. He said the assault of military and police troops showed that the government has no regard for the lives of innocents inside the hotel.

Footage taken by ABS-CBN showed a military armored personnel carrier of the military rammed through the main entrance of the hotel. A series of gunshots were heard after tear gas canisters were lobbed at the hotel lobby around 4:50 p.m.

Trillanes earlier said he expects the worst to happen after he and two dozen rebel soldiers  rejected a government ultimatum to surrender at 3 p.m.

"Well they can try, they can do anything. I'm going to expect the worst from these people. One thing I can assure you is we have more than enough will power and fighting spirit to bring this government down," Trillanes said.

He added, however, that the rebels would not start any violence. "Nothing will happen I assure you. It's my moral obligation as an elected senator," Trillanes told reporters from inside the hotel.

The senator said only President Arroyo can dictate the outcome of the situation. He said his only instructions to the armed rebel soldiers were “to do what is right.”

Trillanes and the rebel soldiers stormed the luxury hotel after marching out of a Makati courtroom during the senator's coup trial. The soldiers, some of whom were carrying Magdalo flags and guns, were accompanied by armed guards as they broke down a door of the hotel, overwhelmed security guards and read out a statement against Mrs. Arroyo with a full list of their demands.

Earlier footage shown on ABS-CBN News Channel showed some soldiers wearing red armbands of the Magdalo group have taken positions at the hotel lobby.

Footage taken by ABS-CBN Sky Patrol showed Special Weapons and Tactics commandos moving in battle formation towards the hotel at 4 p.m.

Director Geary Barias, National Capital Region Police Office director, said they will be serving the arrest warrants issued by Judge Oscar Pimentel of the Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 148.

Barias said the court has not issued an arrest warrant against Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim who was detained by the military for allegedly leading a coup attempt against Mrs. Arroyo last year.

"This is a withdrawal of support. We are joining our people in calling for the removal of the President," Lim announced over radio dzMM. He added that they made the call because the President continues to violate the Constitution with impunity by plundering the treasury.

[Don Xiexie]

patay. wasak peninsula lobby ... tsk tsk. sa isang iglap.

[neilski "mr.pogi"]

Malacañang imposes curfew after Makati siege 

Malacañang on Thursday night declared a curfew, which will start midnight up to dawn of Friday, after ending a six-hour siege at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City.

Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno said that curfew will start 12 a.m. and end 5 a.m. Friday in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon).

Puno said the curfew will be imposed as government forces have plans to conduct follow up operations.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim earlier led renegade soldiers in walking out in the middle of a court hearing at the Makati Regional Trial Court.

The rebel soldiers marched on Makati Avenue and occupied the hotel.

The siege ended shortly after 5 p.m. after government forces used an armored personnel carrier to ram the hotel’s entrance after filling the lobby with tear gas.

The move forced Trillanes and the rebel soldiers to surrender and leave the hotel.

"You have been witnesses and victims of the kind of ruthlessness this administration has given to the people. Now like soldiers we are going to face this," Trillanes told reporters before he was handcuffed.

He earlier said he expects the worst to happen after he and two dozen rebel soldiers rejected a government ultimatum to surrender at 3 p.m.

"Well they can try, they can do anything. I'm going to expect the worst from these people. One thing I can assure you is we have more than enough will power and fighting spirit to bring this government down," Trillanes said.

He added, however, that the rebels would not start any violence. "Nothing will happen I assure you. It's my moral obligation as an elected senator," he said.

The senator said only President Arroyo can dictate the outcome of the situation. He said his only instructions to the armed rebel soldiers were “to do what is right.”

[Darth]

The Media just asked why they got arrested.
Does being a media makes them immune to possible conspiracy?
See how they flash their "tiewired" hands into the air as if they are in pain?
Siguro mas matalino pa mga retarded na makawala sa taling napakaluwag. 

[PrettyMermaid]

CHAOS , AGAIN? Bloody hell!! Sigh.............................................
Well, what's new in the Phils anyway? Doesn't really shocked me actually, however I got more dismayed and on the verge of losing HOPE for our country to overcome political turmoil and poverty. I feel a sense of apathy and remorse for our country the Filipino people at that. Apparently, all these ordeals and endless bickerings and never resolved troubles only implies one thing.......there's no UNITY and UNDERSTANDING. Everyone is a smart ass and brainy! Obviously, they have all hidden agendas. Hardly gives way with each other. C'mmon is there no end to all of our country's/people's sufferings and miseries? Will there be no PEACE? Until when all these chaos and political unstability will halt?!  Such a disgust to hear of this bad news again!!! Also, what a pity to those people who are innocent bein' dragged and victimized. Gosh! Unbelievable rite?!  I was at work when I heard of the news. When I got home at night the very first thing I did was to switched on the TV with a sheer eagerness to watch today's news. Twas like watchin' a film clip seein' gunned soldiers and an armor car barging in to a hotel with a throng of people inside caught in surprise and great fear. Tear gas all over the lobby suffocatin' a number of people while gun shots aimed and fired towards the facade of Peninsula Hotel. Why all this 'once' again has to happen? Shall we witness another blood shed? Isn't it frustrating to hear all this again? What has to be done to put an end to all these mind-boggling, these freakin' issues and problems of our precious country?

"Nakakasawa at nakakapagod na ren, nuh"? Magtulungan na lang tayo sa ikakaganda ng buhay natin lahat, ang kinabukasan ng mga bata ang dapat isipin, ang ikakaahon at ikakaangat ng mga 'maralita' at katahimikan ng bansa natin ang dapat natin isaalang-alang at asikasuhin kesa manggulo, magpagalingan, magnakaw ng pera ng bansa natin, magpayaman habang lalong humihirap ang mga mahihirap at halos mamatay na sa gutom, maghilahan at magpatutsadahan .......di ba mga phkers at mga homie?  Mahirap bang gawin yun? Sa palagay ko hindi kung mas mananaig ang pagpapakumbaba at pag-kakaisa, pagkakaunawaan ng bawa't isa, ang pagtutulungan at kung meron "tunay' na pagmamahal tayo sa bansang PILIPINAS at sa kapwa or buong sambayanan!"   

Amidst all these turmoil let's still cross our fingers and remain steadfast.  Let's pray for our country and may the VOICES of the unheard be heard for a common goal to rid off corruption fin'lly, achieve PEACE and PROSPERITY in our country! - - - AMEN!

MABUHAY pa ren ang PILIPINAS!!! 


ang inyong lingkod na umaasa pa ren kahit konti sa 'kapayapaan' at 'kaunlaran',

prettymermaid


P.S
Thanks Neil for posting this devastating news and for continually keeping us updated....