JOIE CHEN, CNN ANCHOR: Earlier today, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared that a state of rebellion exists in her country. That order, which falls short of martial law, comes after a series of widespread and deadly protests. Demonstrators, demanding the return to power of the ousted president Joseph Estrada, clashed with police early today at the gates of the presidential palace. Romilly Weeks of ITN reports on that.</s>ROMILLY WEEKS, ITN REPORTER (voice-over): Joseph Estrada's supporters gathered in the thousands this morning, making repeated attempts to storm the presidential palace. Riot police lost control of the crowd, retreating under a hail of rocks. Four people were killed in the violence and many of the protesters appeared to have serious injuries. Joseph Estrada's successor declared a state of rebellion and appeared on television to condemn the riot as an attempt to oust her from office.</s>PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO: Despite our controlled response the police</s>WEEKS: Police have started to arrest opposition politicians accused of inciting the violence.</s>EDGARDO ANAGARA, OPPOSITION SUPPORTER: I think it's a portent of bad things to come. This administration has a tendency to clamp down on people and on rights.</s>WEEKS: Former President Estrada was arrested last week on corruption charges. If found guilty he faces a possible death sentence. Romilly Weeks, ITN.
'State of Rebellion' Exists in the Philippines