Erap ally warns of possible 'EDSA Tres' scenario

A close ally of former President Joseph Estrada on Tuesday morning warned of a scenario similar to the 2001 Malacañang siege, or the so-called EDSA Tres, should the Sandiganbayan throw the ousted leader behind bars at the New Bilibid Prisons. Interviewed on dzBB radio, Jose "Linggoy" Alcuaz, an organizer of past rallies, said Estrada's supporters may be outraged should the former president be imprisoned with hardened criminals at the Muntinlupa City detention facility. "Kung iko-commit si Estrada sa Bilibid sa Muntinlupa, palagay ko lang maaaring maulit ang Edsa Tres (If the Sandiganbayan will commit Estrada to Bilibid in Muntinlupa, I think it is possible that there would be a repeat of EDSA Tres)," said Alcuaz, now affiliated with the Oust Gloria Coalition. Alcuaz added that his faction was inclined to believe that the Sandiganbayan Special Division will mete out a guilty verdict against Estrada on plunder charges. He said the rally closest to the Sandiganbayan on Wednesday will be comprised mostly of "walk-in" protesters. Violent clashes between marchers and policemen marred the May 2001 siege. Asked if Estrada's supporters would observe Wednesday's 200-meter radius "no rally" zone around the graft court, Alcuaz said the rally permit filed before the Quezon City government is "deemed granted." He said their request was to stage a mass action at the corner of Commonwealth Avenue and Batasan Road where the Sandiganbayan is located. However, Alcuaz said Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte and City Hall has so far failed to respond in writing to their request, which he said was filed last September 4. This date, Alcuaz said, was in compliance with existing laws which require rally applications to be submitted five days ahead of the planned activity. "My secretary until now has not informed me that Quezon City Hall has sent me a written response," Alcuaz said. As this developed, Alcuaz said Estrada supporters have submitted two applications for rallies before the Muntinlupa City government as well as a separate petition before the Manila City government. Muntinlupa is expected to act upon the requests to rally in front of the New Bilibid Prisons and at was the city's "freedom park." The period covered in their request for the protest action near the prison facility was September 12 to 14. Alcuaz said the Manila request was for a September 15 rally in the Mendiola, a "no-rally" zone. Manila City is run by Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, an ally of Estrada. However, Alcuaz told dzBB radio that, "Hindi porke may permit, may rally (Just because there's a permit doesn't mean there will be a rally)." Earlier in the day, Deputy Director General Avelino Razon Jr, Philippine National Police deputy for administration, said Tuesday that as of 10 p.m. Monday, only three cities have given permits for rallies in connection with the graft court's verdict. "We continue to monitor the situation, and we are coordinating with chief executives," Razon said in Filipino on dzRH radio Tuesday morning. He said that so far, the local governments of Quezon City, Makati City and Pasay City have approved the conduct of such rallies for Wednesday. Last Sunday, Alcuaz said Estrada supporters have also applied for mobilizations in the cities of Mandaluyong and Caloocan as well. - GMANews.TV