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Media takeovers, Arrests and Executive Order 1017
Posted February 26, 2006 INVOKING President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's declaration of a state of national emergency, police on Saturday warned of arrests without a warrant and the takeover of media entities posing a "clear and present danger" to government. Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Arturo Lomibao aired the warning after his troops "temporarily took over" the Daily Tribune newspaper and arrested Anakpawis Party-list Representative Crispin Beltran and retired generals Ramon Monta�o and Rex Piad for alleged inciting to rebellion. Lomibao claimed that under General Order number 5 issued in the wake of Proclamation 1017, the PNP has a "clear mandate" to "carry out appropriate action and security measures to prevent an escalation of the situation." While the military has crushed a plot to unseat Arroyo on Friday, Lomibao said "some people responsible for it are still out there." When asked if the general order empowers authorities to arrest suspected anti-governmentplotters without a warrant, Lomibao said, "Yes." "To contain this clear and present threat, General Order number 5 empowers the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to immediately carry out necessary and appropriate actions and measures to suppress and prevent acts of terrorism and lawless violence," he said. Between 12 midnight and 1 a.m. Saturday, operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) raided the Manila offices of The Daily Tribune, which Lomibao accused of being "deeply engaged in continuing propagation of disinformation and publication of seditious and scurrilous remarks or articles." "We are not closing it. We are just going to recommend to government a review of all the articles that will be published," Lomibao said. When pressed by reporters, Lomibao said police could also take over media outlets that "will not contribute to stability." He skirted questions on whether or not the police's actions were an attack on press freedom. "As I have said, we have standards to follow the standards are in the presidential proclamation, GO number 5," he said. Lomibao said news reports "should not hurt the Philippine state by obstructing governance including hindering the growth of the economy and sabotaging the people's confidence in government and their faith in the future of this country." Lomibao also formally announced the arrests of Beltran and Monta�o. source: PDI |
Barrio is a Spanish word meaning district or neighborhood. In Mexico, the Philippines and other Latin American countries, barrios are generally cohesive places: sharing, for example, a church and traditions such as feast days. 
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