SUBSCRIBEThe Manila Pen siege in Makati
These are some photos of the standoff that happened at the Manila Peninsula Hotel when the group of Trillanes and supporters like former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Archbishop Labayen, the running priest Fr. Reyes and other civil society members walked out of the court hearing at the Makati Regional Trial Court, walked the stretch of Makati Ave. and eventually entering by surprise the hotel where they held press conferences and called on the resignation of the President. They also proposed the formation of a caretaker government to be headed by Chief Justice Puno (who turned down their call) and called on the people and the youth to support their move.
The corner of Makati and Ayala Aves. was closed to traffic. The beseiged hotel, Manila Peninsula with its landmark fountain with cascading waters shown above.
As always, usyoseros are looking from the distance. It was somewhat a lively group as jokes about the siege were told. The crowd is like watching some movie shoot with some shouting “CUT” while others are saying, “o, smile, nakatutok yung camera sa atin (smile, the camera is pointed at us)” Some are taking photos with their cameras and mobile phones. There was even a man who hastily left grumbling “ang tagal naman ng bakbakan, mauwi na nga… (the action is taking too long, better go home).”
A few minutes of standing here, sporadic gunfire broke out but the crowd just stood there and waiting for the next happening.
As the afternoon is fast fading and more sporadic gunfire heard emanating from the hotel, this tank zoomed past the area I’m standing at which is just near the intersection of Ayala and Makati Aves. During the entire event, it was just drizzling and not really good to take more shots.
Just tailing the tank, this military truck also passed by. The Manila Pen is at the background. By this time, I got text messages from my mother in Cebu who was watching the news on TV updating me that Trillanes’ group was surrendering already.
Riot police are standing at the road. Behind them, at the left, is the hotel. Inside, Trillanes and his group including the former vice-president, the archbishop as well as other supporters were being handcuffed, loaded into a waiting bus to be brought to the military camp in Bicutan.
December 11th, 2007 at 6:26PM
Technology has played the key role and has proven its use through the photos and vidoes posted by populace. Without these we won’t be able to give an overview on what had really happened on the past siege.With that media should be given respect and concern.