4 Reported Killed as Filipinos Try to Storm Palace

Security forces fired warning shots, tear gas and water cannons early today to fend off supporters of ousted Philippine leader Joseph Estrada who tried to storm the presidential palace, demanding that his successor quit. At least four people were reported killed.

As the protests died down and troops and a couple of tanks took control of the area, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, emerging from a night of meetings in the besieged palace, accused unidentified political opponents of trying to oust her.

“The vandalism, robbery and injury and deaths are the work of these politicians,” Arroyo, looking exhausted after a second sleepless night, said in a brief, nationally televised statement.

Her spokesman, Rigoberto Tiglao, told a local radio station that “we are in a state of rebellion.”

At least two policemen were killed, government officials said. Two protesters were also reported killed.

Reporters said scores of demonstrators and police were injured as the crowd, which had been rallying for Estrada’s release from custody on corruption charges, forced its way through several police lines.

Estrada’s backers have protested nonstop since his arrest Wednesday.