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Arroyo backers plan counter rally MANILA: Supporters of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo laid plans on Friday to strike back at the opposition with a massive weekend rally that they hope will dwarf a recent "people power" attempt calling for her resignation over vote-rigging allegations. Pulling off a huge turnout could be crucial for Arroyo, who for the past six weeks has been trying to survive her worst political crisis. Protests have been powerful tools in ousting Philippine presidents, and Arroyo needs to mobilize her own backers to show that a big chunk of the populace wants her to keep her job. But anti-Arroyo rallies showed no sign of abating. About 300 militant, left-wing farmers on Friday stormed the Department of Agriculture and ransacked offices before they were evicted and detained by police. From the building, they unfurled streamers reading, "End poverty, end the regime," and "Establish a revolutionary transition government." "More than stealing the presidency, the fishermen and farmers have had enough of the Arroyo government's neglect and failure to arrest widespread poverty," Movement of Fishermen chairman Noli dela Cruz said in a statement. Some of the women protesters danced to the beat of drums while carrying brooms to "sweep" Arroyo out of office. Organizers of the Saturday rally in Manila say they aim to draw 200,000 people five times more than the 40,000 who joined Wednesday's anti-Arroyo demonstration in the capital's financial district. Saturday's event will be in spacious Rizal Park. Organizers include religious groups and local government leaders. They might be able to easily attract tens of thousands of people. (China Daily 07/16/2005 page7)
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