Violent Filipinos Link Cause To Thailand

Violent Filipinos link cause to Thailand

MANILA: -- Violent protesters clashed with police today, while claiming to be inspired to make Philippines President Gloria Arroyo resign, the way Thai protesters forced Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to step aside.

League of Filipino Students leader Vencer Crisostomo, apparently unaware of the peaceful nature of the Thai protests, said Arroyo should resign like Thaksin, adding she has "more sins" than the Thai leader.

Riot police used water cannons and truncheons to break up a protest march of about 800, injuring some. The protesters, carrying banners, attempted to force their way onto a bridge a few blocks from the Malacanang presidential palace, Arroyo's official residence and office.

Police said the demonstrators were dispersed because they had no permit to rally.

It was clear that Mr Thaksin's decision to yield to pressure for his ouster created a fresh call for Arroyo to resign.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye slammed the opposition for trying to exploit Mr Thaksin's resignation to fuel destabilisation moves.

Arroyo's political adviser, Gabriel Claudio, said the president is not expected to share the fate of Mr Thaksin, adding the circumstances surrounding Thaksin's resignation are different from the political problems that continue to hound Arroyo.

Asked if Arroyo would "do a Thaksin," Caludio said, "Because she has a mandate to keep and for the sake of the country, she will not." He said that despite relentless agitation by the opposition, efforts to unseat Arroyo have continually failed because Filipinos are tired of political bickering and confrontation. - (Agencies)

--Bangkok Post 2006-04-06