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Philippine Uprising

Supporters of arrested former President Joseph Estrada sit on the street to try to prevent riot police from driving them away outside the Malacanang Palace in Manila on Tuesday, May 1. The supporters were eventually dispersed, and at least six people are reported dead. Photo by Associated Press.

Filipino Americans seek peaceful resolution

By Ji Hyun Lim and Associated Press

For many Filipino Americans, news of political unrest in the Philippines has been the source of both debate and deep concern. Last week on May 1, tension peaked on both sides of the Pacific, when as many as 40,000 supporters of ousted President Joseph Estrada marched to Malacanang, the presidential palace, breaking through police lines in an attempt to oust current President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. At least six people were killed.

“Everyone in my mom’s side is still in the Philippines, and I have a large extended family there,” said Rand Quinn, executive director of Services for Immigrant Rights and Education Network (SIREN). “I’m worried for their safety and the safety of the Filipinos in general.”

Philippine president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Chaos subsided by the following day after Arroyo declared a “state of rebellion” in the capital, allowing her to use the military to halt protests, and authorizing the police to make arrests without warrants. More than 3,000 soldiers, backed by tanks and helicopters, were deployed to secure the palace. Most protesters backed off, leaving several vehicles in burning ashes. Armed with just rocks and clubs, the protesters were unable to fight off the police.

Estrada, who was arrested for allegedly amassing $82 million in bribes and kickbacks during 31 months in office, could face death if convicted. But his supporters are adamant that these accusations were created in order to oust him.

Former president Joseph Estrada.

Arroyo has ordered the arrest of 11 opposition leaders, accusing them of inciting the violence and agitating poor supporters of Estrada.

On Sunday, calm returned to the streets of Manila — at least for now.

“It’s a heat-breaking situation,” Quinn said. “Maybe there’s a silver lining to all this. Maybe those in power will wake up and see the needs of the poor in the country, and think of real ways to uplift or provide for better living conditions for the majority of the people there who live in poverty”

To Jose Caedo, president of the Filipino American Democratic Empowerment Council, the failed coup attempt echoes the deep frustration of the socially neglected. And he is troubled by Arroyo’s sweeping arrest warrants, questioning their legality in a democratic nation.

“There is a question of having warrant list arrest,” Caedo said. “First, you need to declare the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus or declare martial law before you can arrest someone without a warrant.”

He added: “The underprivileged classes [are] venting out against what they perceive as inaction by government, and I see this as an act of desperation that makes such people susceptible to political demagoguery or political machinations.

“I think it’s predominantly the feeling of the [Filipino American] community that we should move on with the new administration. Let’s go through the process. I think it’s the general sentiment.”

But Alice Bulos of the Democratic Party of California said the most important thing right now is for the government to quell any further unrest and violence. “We are concerned because there is no strong political power right now, and the government must really do something to discipline those people,” she said.

Some Filipino Americans are concerned with how continued violence may affect the economy. Caedo pointed out that if the violence continues, eventually, foreign business investors would pull out of the country and instead go to Malaysia or Thailand, where governments are more stable.

“We need to establish peace and settle down and start working to develop the country and get the economic condition back on track,” he said.

Solving economic inequities is imperative, he said. “If we don’t start correcting the ills where people are suffering and starving, and it’s only the rich or the middle class that enjoys life, I’m reminded of what happened in Paris July 14, 1789 — the French Revolution.”