Detained Senator, Former Vice President holed up in Philippine Hotel; Calls For President's Resignation

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Anti-government leaders call for Philippine president Gloria Macapal-Arroyo's resignation amidst allegations of graft and corruption--and the never ending issue of vote rigging in the 2004 presidential elections. 

[q
url="http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view_article.php?article_id=103771"]MANILA,
Philippines -- Detained Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and other officers
accused of leading the July 2003 rebellion walked out of their trial
Thursday and marched through the streets of Makati calling for the
ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

As of posting time, Trillanes and his comrades are at the Manila Peninsula where they are scheduled to hold a press conference.

The walkout began shortly after the trial resumed after a brief
recess. Brigadier General Danilo Lim, who himself is detained and
facing coup d’etat charges following an alleged failed coup attempt in
February 2006, was pulled away by several soldiers from the witness
stand.[/q]

Military personnel barricade all roads leading to the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City.

Update at Nov 29, 1:58pm: The Philippine National Police, particularly the NCRPO command, has received orders from Malacanang, the executive branch's HQ, to arrest key figures.  A warrant of arrest will be served in the next hour against Senator Antonio Trillanes and other Magdalo officers.

Update at Nov 29, 3:05pm: Presidential spokesperson Ignacio Bunye said that the Malacanang has no plans of cancelling the President's state visit to Spain and Britain this weekend.  Administration officials are confident that this issue will be resolved peacefully within the day. 

According to a news report by AM radio station DZRH, Malacanang is studying possibilities of indicting civilians who are involved in the walk out and is now seeking refuge at the Makati City hotel.

The 3pm deadline has already lapsed but there is no new development on the arrest moves. 

Update at Nov 29, 3:56pm: Pro-government troops have been given gas masks and tear gas canisters in preparation of moving in to the hotel and serve the arrest warrant.  Hotel guests have been seen leaving the establishment.  Members of the media inside the hotel are encouraged to leave.  

DZRH radio reports of a possible assault coming in from the main lobby of the hotel. 

Update at Nov 29, 4:06pm:  Warning shots are reported to have been fired.  Magdalo soldiers inside the hotel are positioning themselves for a possible assault by pro-government forces.

Update at Nov 29, 4:32pm: Pro-government marines are preparing to move in.  The Philippine National Police may study possibilities of charging Magdalo forces with "illegal detention" for disallowing media personnel from leaving the hotel.  However, many of them have refused a request from higher-ups to leave.  Authorities are asking civilians to follow orders to avoid possible collateral damage.  Some cabinet members, congressmen, and local officials have gone to the scene within the vicinity of the Manila Peninsula at Urdaneta Village in Makati City, the country's main financial hub.

DZRH has reported that more than 100 members of local and foreign press are inside the hotel.

Update at Nov 29, 4:58pm:  Tear gas have been fired and smoke is filling the hotel lobby, according to a radio reporter.  The press inside the hotel have torn bed sheets to shield themselves from the debilitating effects of the smoke.

Update at Nov 29, 6:15pm: I was on my way home from work when I heard in the news that Senator Trillanes and his group has surrendered to authorities.  The crisis has been resolved peacefully.  Each and every single individuals holed up in the hotel including members of the press and civilians have been detained as standard police operating procedure.

Update at Nov 29, 9:23pm:  Long, looong day for the thousands of blue- and white- collared workers of Makati.  The day started with heavy rains, stalling traffic coming in to the city.  Then before noon, this incident took place.  Key roads in the city have been barricaded to avoid crowd build-up around the hotel, which meant heavier traffic.  Public utility vehicles were full, making it hard for many commuters to...well..commute home.  Conditions were made worse by the incessant rainfall coming into the latter part of the day.

Public discourse put Sen. Trillanes and the other figures involved on the shame list for their "irresponsible" actions.

Government authorities have imposed a 5-hour curfew starting at 12 midnight in Metro Manila, and whole of Southern and Central Luzon.  Department of Interior and Local Government Secretay Ronaldo Puno has said that the curfew is unlikely to spill over the coming days.

Damage Assessment 
Update at Nov 30, 8:30am - The Peninsula hotel remains closed to the public today to give way for the management to assess the damage from the incident, which started barely 21 hours ago.

Below is a statement from the management:

“The Peninsula Manila will be closed and will remain as such while
the hotel’s management addresses the extent of the damage from the
incident. Operations will resume as soon as possible.

“The Peninsula Manila will pick up all charges from the hotels where
its guests were transferred to up to and including 12 noon on Friday,
30 November.

“The management of The Peninsula Manila wishes to reassure its
guests and patrons that it did everything possible to ensure their
safety.”

On a bigger scale, the Philippine peso and stock market have ended higher (seven-year high of Php42.60 against the greenback) after a roller coaster ride, according to a report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.  However, analysts have said that the day trade could have performed better if it were not for this incident, following uphill market trends in neighboring countries.

Transcript of statement by Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, Magdalo soldier