Erap supporters mark 'Edsa 3'

Supporters of deposed President Joseph Estrada commemorated Tuesday morning their failed siege of Malacañang Palace six years ago, which they have dubbed "Edsa 3," by trooping to the historic Mendiola Street in Manila City. The pro-Estrada People's Movement Against Poverty (PMAP) went to Mendiola corner Legarda Street past 10:30 a.m. and laid flowers at the statue of the late Don Chino Roces. "Andito kami para gunitain ang makasaysayang araw ng mga mahihirap na kung tawagin ay ang ikatlong Edsa," Lumbao said (We are here to observe the historic day for the poor, which is known as the third Edsa). Lawmen allowed Lumbao to approach the Chino Roces monument for the flower offering. His followers, numbering more or less 50, stayed along Legarda Street. As they were about to leave, Lumbao shouted at the police guarding Mendiola telling them not to prevent people from entering the historic site. "Ang bawal ay si Gloria Arroyo," Lumbao said (President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo should be the one banned). The group left past 11 a.m. On May 1, 2001, PMAP and other Estrada supporters attempted to storm Malacañang in protest of the ouster of their leader in January of that year over allegations of rampant corruption in his administration. The demonstrators turned violent as they approached Mendiola, the gateway to Malacañang as they burned vehicles, threw stones at cops and destroyed public and private properties. - GMANews.TV