'State of rebellion' in Philippines as four die

Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared a ‘‘state of rebellion’’ today after security forces firing warning shots, tear gas and water cannons clashed with stone-throwing backers of ousted leader Joseph Estrada.

‘‘This is not just a demonstration. This is a rebellion,’’ Government spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao said.

‘‘I would like to assure the public that the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police are prepared to quell this rebellion.’’

He said the declaration, restricted to Manila, gives the Government greater power to halt rebellion but he did not say what those powers were.

At least four people were reported dead today as thousands of supporters of jailed Estrada, armed with rocks and some clubs, skirmished with police around the presidential palace.

Fighting appeared to have subsided today after many protesters backed off, setting fire to three vans, a police car, a fire truck and a television news van in their path.

At least 12 policemen, a newspaper photographer and 25 civilians were injured and 30 protesters were arrested, police said.

It was the second time in as many nights that Arroyo survived an attempt to force her from office and reinstall Estrada.

She claimed he and his allies incensed supporters in an effort to seize power for their own benefit.

In an escalating political showdown, the government barred nine key opposition figures today from leaving the country, including Senator Gringo Honasan, Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, Estrada’s former spokesman Ernesto Maceda and former Philippine National Police Chief Panfilo Lacson.

‘‘These are the ones suspected of inciting people to assault’’ the presidential palace, said Immigration Commissioner Andrea Domingo, in announcing the order.

Hold departure orders are normally only issued against people accused of crimes but Domingo said the ‘‘emergency’’ situation gives the Government greater power to bar people from leaving.

Arroyo earlier accused key opposition figures, without naming them, of plotting to overthrow her and establish a junta.

‘‘The vandalism, robbery and injury and deaths are the work of these politicians,’’ Arroyo, looking exhausted after a second consecutive sleepless night, said in a brief nationally televised statement.

‘‘They should be blamed. It is clear that their theme is to bring down the legitimate government so ... they would establish their own junta.’’

Reporters saw seven people with what appeared to be gunshot wounds from pre-dawn clashes on the 10-mile march to the presidential palace from a shrine to the 1986 ‘‘people power’’ revolt that toppled late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

At least two policemen were killed and scores injured as the crowd, which had been rallying for Estrada’s release from custody on corruption charges, forced its way through several police lines and stoned a policeman who already was laying injured and bloody.

One protester was fatally shot in the face; no details were available on the fourth reported death. The reports were carried by radio and TV networks.

Some officials downplayed the significance of the clashes.

‘‘As far as we are concerned, this is not a large-scale rebellion or insurrection, just a rampage of mindless people who have absolutely no love for the country,’’ said Renato Corona, Arroyo’s chief of staff.