Manila is THE most random place on the planet. Fact. Whilst at work yesterday, the school received news that there was a military coup happening in Makati (where I live), and that the police, army and air force were shutting down lots of the city. We were all emailed news links from our headteacher to let us know what was happening.
The short version of this very long story is: There were these blokes who led a previous mutiny in 2003, they were up in court for their actions when they decided they had enough of court and walked out! The armed guards and soldiers decided that instead of stopping the fugitives, they would join them!! Ha ha! So they marched out of court down Ayala avenue, during their march they were joined by supporters from the army so there was a huge crowd of armed soldiers accompanying these men walking through the streets. It was filmed by many news agencies including the BBC who were there to document the trial. These fellas wanted to overthrow the President; a woman called Gloria who is supposedly corrupt (but then again...who isn't in Manila?) so they thought about it and decided the best way to do this would be in a 5 star hotel!!!
The Penninsula hotel to be exact. I have been there for afternoon tea and its pretty fancy. Now if you are going to try and overthrow a government you may as well do it in style. That's the problem with the troubles in Ireland, there just aren't enough 5 star hotels to take over for government shake downs. They forced their way into the hotel and took it over. It hasn't been reported if the rebels took advantage of the afternoon tea buffet but I would have recommended the scones with cream and jam, mmmm yummy.
At this stage, the government was taking steps to secure the city and the rebels had set up a website to promote their cause and rally for support. People were getting nervous and the tanks started to roll into the city. I called my maid Vaneza to tell her to leave and go home as quick as she could because she doesn't live in Makati. She was already upset as her sister had called her to tell her what had happened. When I told her to go home, she said "shall I finish the ironing mam?" and of course I told her she was mad and to leave immediately.
I got home from work, had some pizza then fell asleep. When I woke up the next morning it was all over, the hotel had been stormed by the army and police. There had been a curfew in the WHOLE of Southern Luzon overnight!!!!! I had had a text message from school that I was supposed to pass on to other members of staff through a communication tree. So there was no one allowed outside of their homes or driving around. Eerie eh!
An armoured personnel carrier repeatedly rammed the main door of the five-star Peninsula Hotel, before ploughing into the foyer as tear gas was fired.
Some 1,500 troops were involved in the assault, which was launched after an 0700GMT deadline for the dissident soldiers to leave the building expired.
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