PHILIPPINES: ANTI ESTRADA PROTESTS WRAP (2)

(19 Jan 2001) Tagalog/Eng/Nat
Faced with crumbling political support and mass protests, President Joseph Estrada refused to quit on Friday, but the vice president said she was the "new commander-in-chief" and reports swirled that the scandal-plagued leader might flee.
Four armoured personnel carriers rolled onto the grounds of the presidential palace on Friday evening, purportedly to provide extra security for Estrada, but they mysteriously left within minutes.
Two Philippine Airlines jets and a smaller corporate jet were waiting at nearby Villamor Air Base, and immigration officials were told to go there and prepare to process some people leaving the country late on Friday or possibly early on Saturday, said sources who spoke to The Associated Press only on condition they not be identified.
Local television reported that Estrada - or perhaps family members - had decided on a hasty departure. A presidential spokesman claimed the president was still at the palace.
Estrada went on national television earlier and said he would step down after a snap election in May, which he urged Congress to call.
But Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued a statement rejecting the idea and calling herself the new Philippine leader.
Arroyo, daughter of a former president, has led an opposition campaign joined by such unlikely allies as big business and left-wing communist groups.
Some 250-thousand anti-Estrada demonstrators crowding around a monument to the 1986 revolt that toppled late dictator Ferdinand Marcos responded by shouting "No negotiations!"
Military chief Gen. Angelo Reyes abandoned the president's camp and joined the protesters, saying Estrada and his family should be allowed to "exit with dignity."
Other leaders seeking Estrada's ousting called for reconciliation in the Southeast Asia island nation that has endured political turmoil since a provincial governor went public in October with charges the president took (M) millions of US dollars in gambling kickbacks and tobacco tax money.
The president denied the allegations but found himself tried on impeachment charges.
Speaking earlier on national television for the second time on a riveting day of political intrigue, Estrada had said he wanted a presidential election in May.
But experts questioned whether this would be constitutionally possible because the president and vice president had not quit.
Later in the day reports circulated that the scandal-plagued leader might flee.
Four armoured personnel carriers rolled onto the grounds of the presidential palace Friday evening, purportedly to provide extra security for Estrada, but they mysteriously left within minutes.
Local television reported that Estrada - or perhaps family members - had decided on a hasty departure.
Such claims were quickly dismissed by the Presidential spokesman.
SOUNDBITE: (Tagalog)
"I campaigned for him before because I believed he can help, but up to now I haven't seen any results from his promises. And I'm overwhelmed by the talks in the Senate about millions and millions and billions and billions that he's hiding in the bank."
SUPER CAPTION: Nora Aunor, Actress
SOUNDBITE: (Tagalog)
"That is why I ask that we resume the process as stated in the constitution as soon as possible. I believe that that I will be proven innocent in the end. I repeat, I am ready to accept whatever is the result of the impeachment trial at the senate."
SUPER CAPTION: Joseph Estrada, Philippine President
SOUNDBITE: (English)
SUPER CAPTION: Angelo Reyes, Armed forces chief of staff
SOUNDBITE: (Tagalog)
SUPER CAPTION: Joseph Estrada, Philippines President

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