Defiant Philippine President Gloria Arroyo vowed today to crush what she called a carefully planned rebellion, saying anyone plotting to overthrow the government would be beaten to a pulp.
Ms Arroyo, facing the biggest crisis of her presidency since being sworn in exactly 100 days ago, said an attempt by tens of thousands of supporters of former ruler Mr Joseph Estrada to storm the presidential palace overnight was part of planned rebellion.
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"We have the evidence, we have the proof...this was a carefully planned rebellion", Ms Arroyo told national television after spending the night in the Malacanang Presidential palace which was besieged by over 40,000 people.
Three people were killed - two police officers and a protester - as the mob repeatedly charged the palace gates.
Only small groups of Estrada supporters were still on the streets today, but witnesses said around 6,000 Arroyo backers gathered in a counter protest as the May Day holiday drew to a close.
Ms Arroyo declared a state of rebellion today - two stages down from martial law - which means authorities can arrest without a warrant anyone suspected of planning to overthrow the government.
She also barred assemblies of more than five people aroundMalacanang.
Speaking from behind her desk in the presidential office, Arroyo said she was in complete control of the country and had the full backing of the military, the church and the masses.
She pulled no punches when she described how she would deal with those she charges with plotting the rebellion – specifically Mr Estrada's former police chief Mr Panfilo Lacson, who has gone into hiding.
"He will be beaten to a pulp", she said, if he tried to challenge legitimate authorities.Mr Estrada is being held at a maximum security detention centre at Laguna City, 50 km (30 miles) south of Manila. He faces charges of corruption and economic plunder and a possible death sentence if convicted.