PHILIPPINES: The chief of the Philippines' marine corps, Gen Renato Miranda, was relieved of his command yesterday as the government tightened a net around politicians and senior officers it accuses of plotting to overthrow president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
His exit came amid mounting criticism of Ms Arroyo's crackdown on opponents and the media after she declared a state of national emergency on Friday.
"The stench of martial law has pervaded the entire country," said the Daily Tribune, whose offices were raided by police before dawn on Saturday.
A prominent Catholic bishop meanwhile warned Ms Arroyo against a slide back to the martial law of dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who was toppled in a "people power" uprising 20 years ago.
"If President Arroyo and her gang do not show results in . . . purging all perpetrators of corruption and improving the lot of the poor, the regime will crumble faster and more miserably than the past dictatorship," said Archbishop Ramon Arguelles of Lipa.
The emergency allows for arrests without warrant and an extension of detention without charge. About 100 marines staged a brief demonstration of support for Gen Miranda in Manila yesterday before returning to barracks. - (Reuters)