Entering the war zone: ‘I saw nothing but rage’

By Carlos H. Conde
Cyberdyaryo
Published: May 3, 2001

It looked like a scene from “Under Fire”, an ’80s movie on the Nicaraguan revolution. The remains of burned-out cars on the usually bustling avenue spoke of the violence that had just transpired there. Policemen and soldiers were resting by the wayside, ready to face another onslaught from the Estrada loyalists who had engaged them in a running street battle since morning.

Signs, billboards and shop windows were broken. Security guards of commercial establishments stood behind closed doors, peering through shattered glass windows and iron grills. Stores were closed, personnel opening their doors cautiously, looking left and right, as if they were afraid something terrible might come at any moment.

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The Left assesses GMA’s first 100 days

By Carlos H. Conde
Cyberdyaryo
May 1, 2001

THE Philippines has been thrust into the realm of the surreal, validating once again what a writer once said–that this country is a perfect setting for a Gabriel Garcia Marquez novel.

Ironic is too tame a word to describe the events that transpired in the week just past, especially on Sunday, the 100th day of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s administration.

On that day, there were indications that Malaca�ang had finally admitted to itself that the crisis spawned by the arrest of former President Joseph Estrada on April 26 was much more serious than initially thought. Amid denials of rumors that some generals had defected to the Estrada camp, the Armed Forces high command held a closed-door meeting for hours.

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