Arroyo calls for battle through constitutional process
Philippine military continues to stay neutral

About 30,000 people Wednesday participated in a rally at the financial district of Makati, MetroManila, calling for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. (Xinhua Photo)

    MANILA, July 13 (Xinhuanet) -- About 30,000 people Wednesday participated in a rally at the financial district of Makati, MetroManila, calling for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, according to local radio reports.

    This is the biggest ever anti-Arroyo street rally since Arroyo was accused of vote rigging in last year's presidential election early last month, but the rally failed to draw the support of the country's middle class and the number of participants was lower than the 50,000 expected by the opposition .

    Radio reports said at least 30,000 people, mostly young men, converged at a major intersection along Ayala Avenue, Makati, where an eight-lane artery cuts through Metro Manila's business and diplomatic district.

    Protesters mostly remained the old foes of the Arroyo administration including left-wing militants, radical student and discontent farmers apart from the followers of Estrada and the late Ferdinand Poe Jr.

    Reports also said Susan Roces, widow of defeated presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr., is expected to join the protesters late afternoon or early evening. But former president Cory Aquino refused to attend the rally.

    Arroyo has rejected repeated calls for her resignation and the powerful Roman Catholic Church, which supported the toppling of two other presidents in 1986 and 2001 through mass protests, has refused to endorse calls for her resignation.

    The president said she would work on the constitutional reform proposed by former president Fidel Ramos, which could provide her with an "exist of grace" through a one-year transitional period during which a new constitution will be drafted and new elections held next year.

    She also challenged the opposition to settle their discontent with her at the Congress through a possible impeachment process.

    About 6,000 policemen, including units from nearby provinces, were deployed for crowd-control duty, backed by 1,000 soldiers in charge of security for Manila, said National Capital Regional Police chief Vidal Querol. Enditem