Manila condemns Govt takeover of newspaper

Media groups in Philippines have condemned the takeover of an opposition newspaper and the presence of troops at broadcast networks, after the govt declared an emergency.

Media groups in Philippines have condemned the takeover of an opposition newspaper and the presence of troops at broadcast networks on Saturday, after the government declared a state of emergency.

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Director-General Arturo Lomibao, head of the national police, announced the temporary takeover of the Daily Tribune, a small newspaper highly critical of the Arroyo government, at a news conference.

An executive said 18 armed troops were sent to their suburban compound with instructions to protect the perimeter.

On Friday President Gloria Arroyo declared a state of emergency citing "clear and present danger" to the elected government from the "extreme left" and "military adventurists" plotting her overthrow.

The declaration allows the government to secure public and private utilities.

Staff at two other Manila newspapers, the Malaya and its sister tabloid Abante, said they expected to be taken over as well.

The moves came on the 20th anniversary of the fall of dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

Media groups branded the crackdown a violation of press freedom and an attempt to wind the clock back to the "dark days" of Marcos, who ruled for 20 years until a civilian-backed military mutiny forced him into exile in on February 25, 1986.

Police raided the downtown offices of the Tribune early Saturday morning after the staff had gone home and confiscated all documents.