MANILA -- In democracies, governments have a constitutional right, even an obligation, to protect the democratic order against the enemies of the state. In line with this basic principle, Philippine President Gloria Arroyo recently justified the imposition of emergency rule as a preemptive action against what she termed "the historical enemies of the democratic Philippine State."

Presidential Proclamation No. 1017 provides the legal basis for the emergency. It defines these enemies as a coalition of "elements in the political opposition (who) have conspired with authoritarians of the extreme Left and the extreme Right, represented by military adventurists, who are now in a concerted and systematic conspiracy, over a broad front, to bring down the duly-constituted Government."

Information regarding the people behind the alleged conspiracy and the events that led to the imposition of emergency rule remain sketchy. So far, the government has not presented credible facts on the exact extent of the alleged "concerted and systematic conspiracy." Not surprisingly, this in turn has fanned suspicions that the stated conspiracy is but a ploy with the prime motive to justify repressive policies and intimidate the opposition. Adding to this scenario have been inconsistent statements from government and security officials regarding the exact degree and also the quality of the threat.