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FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9726
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 000995 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, DRL/CRA, DS, CA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PINS ASEC RP
SUBJECT: SITREP 23:  PRESIDENT ARROYO LIFTS STATE OF 
EMERGENCY 
 
REF: MANILA 970 AND PREVIOUS 
 
¶1.  (U) Summary:  In a TV address given at 1130 hrs (local) 
on March 3, President Arroyo announced that she was lifting 
the State of National Emergency imposed on February 24, 
effective immediately.  Mission prepared the statement in 
para 5 in response to media queries.  This is the final 
sitrep in this series.  End Summary. 
 
¶2.  (U) President Arroyo appeared on national television 
mid-day to announce that she was immediately lifting the 
State of National Emergency.  (See Para 6 for the full text 
of President Arroyo's announcement.)  The office of the 
Executive Secretary will next issue an official proclamation 
that would supersede Proclamation 1017, which imposed the 
State of Emergency on February 24. 
 
¶3.  (U) During the ten-minute appearance, an upbeat, 
confident-looking Arroyo justified issuing Proclamation 1017, 
asserting it was necessary to "insure the stability of the 
people and the nation" in the face of a plot to bring down 
the government, which she characterized as being, at the 
time, "a clear and present danger to the Republic." 
President Arroyo noted that several "destabilizers" and 
members of the military and police had been arrested in 
connection with the alleged plot and she promised that they 
would receive a fair trial.  She stated that she was "happy 
to report that the cabal is broken...I am confident that 
order has been restored.  Therefore, with the power vested in 
me by our Constitution, I declare that, effective 
immediately, the state of emergency is no longer in effect." 
She closed by noting "and I will act with the same force of 
will and determination again and again if our opponents 
insist on inflicting instability on the nation and hurting 
our economy." 
 
¶4.  (U) House Speaker Jose De Venecia said in a televised 
interview shortly after the announcement that an 
"overwhelming majority" in Congress and among local 
government officials supported the President's decision to 
rescind Proclamation 1017, and he expressed skepticism that 
there would be further detentions or arrests.  Former 
President Fidel Ramos also praised Arroyo for lifting the 
State of Emergency, but added that she had further explaining 
to do as to why it was imposed in the first place. 
 
¶5.  (U) Mission prepared the following statement, cleared by 
visiting EAP DAS John, in response to media queries: 
 
"The United States welcomes President Arroyo's declaration 
today, lifting the State of National Emergency on February 
¶24.  We look forward to continuing to deepen our cooperation 
on important issues that both our countries face, including 
counter-terrorism, regional cooperation and security, defense 
reform, and economic development." 
 
¶6.  (U) An official translation of the announcement by 
President Arroyo, delivered in Tagalog, follows: 
 
Begin Text: 
 
I was elected to fix our economy, invest in the people and 
eliminate the crushing burden of poverty.  My plan is working 
and the economy has been turned around.  Evidence of this is 
a strong peso, more foreign investments and increased 
collection of taxes to help pay for services like education, 
health care and infrastructure. 
 
Against the backdrop of economic progress, elements with our 
society decided to launch an unsuccessful overthrow our 
government. 
 
A week ago today an alliance of malicious destabilizers and 
misguided military intriguers set about to take advantage of 
the emotional swirl of our nation's EDSA celebration.  Their 
intention was no less than the sabotage of our constitution 
and to bring down the legal government of the Philippines.  I 
made the judgment at the time that this convergence of forces 
posed a clear and present danger to the Republic.  As 
commander in chief of the armed forces and within the power 
granted me by the constitution, I took steps to insure the 
stability of the people and the nation. 
 
My concerns were subsequently born out: we have arrested 
scores of destabilizers and several military personnel.  We 
have documented case-by- case and in specific detail the 
 
MANILA 00000995  002 OF 002 
 
 
transgressions for which they now stand accused.  Our justice 
system will see to their fair trail.  The truth will come 
out.  And as you saw play out last Sunday night, the struggle 
continued through the weekend.  As such, I kept in place the 
SOE until I was sure the nation was safe and sound. 
 
Throughout this ordeal, I have been keenly aware of the 
anxiety that the state of emergency created within many 
segments of society. It was not an action I took lightly, but 
I felt too much was at stake to do anything less, I believe 
my actions strengthened and protected our civil liberties and 
free press, and maintained the economic gains we have fought 
so hard to secure. 
 
Today, a week later, I am happy to report that the cabal is 
broken and it is time to get back to the real business of 
governing.  I am confident that order has been restored. 
Therefore, with the power vested in me by our constitution, I 
declare that, effective immediately, the state of emergency 
is no longer in affect. 
 
I want to thank our military men and women who withstood the 
political gamesmen and remained true to the country that they 
swore to protect.  They bear many burdens on our behalf. I 
have asked Defense Secretary Cruz to lead a bottom-up review 
to get the views of our soldiers in the field and make sure 
reform of the military continues on its course toward 
modernization and justice. 
 
I want to thank our many local and national government 
leaders who stood by the side of democracy.  And I cannot say 
enough about the wisdom of our people who understand that the 
best way to a bright future is through hard work, not taking 
to the streets. 
 
It is essential now that our political opponents and 
opportunist stop undermining our economy at home and 
embarrassing the nation abroad with their cheap political 
antics.   For the love of nation, it is time to make things 
work and get things done.  Let us please all work for the 
common good. 
 
Our nation is stronger for dealing quickly and decisively 
with this issue.  I will not stand for this kind of 
adventurism at any time.  And I will act with the same force 
of will and determination again and again if our opponents 
insist on inflicting instability on the nation and hurting 
our economy. 
 
In the meantime, we are blessed to live in a vibrant 
democracy that is strong, stable and on the move. 
 
End Text. 
 
¶7.  (U)  This is the final sitrep in this series. 
 
Visit Embassy Manila's Classified SIPRNET website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm 
 
You can also access this site through the State Department's 
Classified SIPRNET website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/ 
 
Jones