Arroyo tightens crackdown
with more charges, arrests

MANILA -- The PNP yesterday detained four police officers and filed charges against 16 opposition figures for allegedly trying to overthrow the government, as President Gloria Arroyo widened a crackdown against alleged coup plotters.

Chief Superintendent Marcelino Franco, who was sacked Friday as head of an elite paramilitary police unit, and three of his men were "placed under restrictive custody" amid reports they were recruiting people for a coup plot, national police chief Arturo Lomibao said.

At the same time, police filed charges of rebellion and attempting a coup d'etat before the Department of Justice against 16 opposition figures, including House of Representatives members Crispin Beltran, Satur Ocampo, Liza Maza, Rafael Mariano, Joel Virador and Teodoro Casino.

Mayor: State needs
tool to protect itself
BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday said he supports the declaration of a national state of emergency as long as there is an assurance that it will not be abused.

Leonardia said many people are debating about Proclamation No. 1017, especially because there is no precedent to it.

"But I believe the State should have that necessary tool to protect itself because it cannot be sure if the people are in unity all the time," he said. If the State has no mechanism to defend itself, IT can never be stabilized every time a group of people or rebels decide to take over, he added.

Bishop, guv: Back free press,
civilian supremacy vs. military
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Bacolod Bishop Vicente Navarra and Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon yesterday stressed the need to maintain civilian supremacy over the military and ensure the people's right to a free press.

Marañon yesterday said his fear is that, if the situation at the national level worsens, a military junta could take over.

The national leadership should maintain its supremacy over the military because, right now, the perception is that the president is dependent on the military, the governor said.