Philippine state of rebellion to end soon

The state of rebellion was declared Tuesday to restore peace and order

By CNN'S Hope Ngo in Hong Kong

MANILA, Philippines -- Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is not likely to extend the country's state of rebellion beyond Monday.

Arroyo declared a state of rebellion hours after thousands of demonstrators loyal to former leader Joseph Estrada tried to storm the presidential palace on Tuesday.

The move allows authorities the power to arrest without a warrant those suspected of taking part in the violent demonstration.

VIDEO CNN's Veronica Pedrosa reports on how Philippine President Arroyo is handling what she calls a 'state of rebellion' (May 2) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

National Security Adviser Roilo Golez told CNN that he was "99 percent certain" that the order would be lifted on Monday, a week before scheduled local and congressional elections.

The Arroyo government has taken pains to reassure investors and diplomats stationed in Manila that the state of rebellion was temporary.

Golez told CNN that Vice President and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teofisto Guingona had met with the diplomatic community to deliver these assurances.

Newspapers have voiced concerns that the measure was just a step or two away from martial law.

But Golez says the only people concerned about the state of rebellion were those who were involved in Tuesday's bloody demonstration.

"Only the object of the arrests as well as those sympathetic to them, are concerned about this (state of rebellion)," he told CNN.

Honasan (center), a former soldier, was linked to Tuesday's violent protest

"After causing so much havoc, they are now on the run, now the law is after them. These protests are just legal defenses", he said.

Several major figures continue to remain at large since the demonstration including Senators Gregorio Honasan and Miriam Defensor-Santiago, and former Police chief Panfilo Lacson.

Others, like prominent Senator Juan Ponce Enrile and former Ambassador to the U.S. Ernesto Maceda, are in police custody.

Authorities say the fugitives have until the end of Friday to turn themselves in.

Arroyo approval rating seen up

The president's approval rating is also seen to have benefited from her actions on Tuesday.

Tony Abaya of HB and A Research Int'l told CNN that before Estrada's arrest last week, a poll taken among 300 registered voter-respondents showed Arroyo's approval rating at 64 percent.

He believes the president's popularity will not suffer from this week's political turmoil.

"Thursday's meeting between Estrada and Arroyo was a step in the right direction," he said, referring to a meeting between the current president and her predecessor at his maximum security prison.

"Arroyo is being seen as taking steps to ensure that dignity is being given to him as a former president," he said.

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