running leftist insurgencies in Asia. The Communist Party of the Philippines has supported calls for Arroyo's resignation, and threatened to step up attacks to further weaken her government. A spokesman also warned that Arroyo could face a similar fate as Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu and end up "executed in the streets" if she refuses to resign over allegations she cheated in last year's elections. Arroyo's woes started in June following the release of a wiretapped conversation allegedly between her and a senior elections official about rigging the May 10, 2004 presidential polls. The 58-year-old U.S.-trained economist has apologised for improperly talking with an election official while votes were still being counted, but denied she tried to sway the results of the polls. She has vowed not to step down. --SP 1313 Local Time 1013 GMT
