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Friday, October 17, 2003
Security threats prompt Estrada transfer
MANILA -- Police escorted jailed former President Joseph Estrada Thursday to an Army camp in Tanay, Rizal, where he will stay until supposed threats to his life are neutralized.
Supt. Prospero Noble, head of Estrada's guards at Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City, said the Sandiganbayan ordered the transfer.
Estrada was moved to Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal, after the police cited threats to his life and to thwart efforts from certain supporters to spring him from detention.
Estrada will stay at the guesthouse Camp Capinpin.
Malacaņang has kept its hand off the transfer of Estrada.
President Arroyo Thursday said the move was an operational matter that does not need any clearance or approval from Malacaņang.
Ferdie Ramos, one of the former president's aides, in an interview over radio station dzBB said Estrada was "virtually incommunicado."
"Even if you have a cellular phone, only certain parts of the house have a signal," said Ramos.
Ramos added a twelve-foot-high barbed wire fence surrounded the bungalow, situated in the middle of a 300-square meter lot.
Policemen were guarding Estrada inside the house while members of the police Special Action Force (SAF) have set up tents around the house. Army "jungle fighters" were also on guard, Ramos said.
Estrada's new detention center has no air-conditioning and the former leader would be made to sleep in the same bed used by soldiers, Ramos said.
The lone sofa in the house could only accommodate six people and there was no television set, Ramos said.
However, Ramos said Estrada would be allowed to get out of the house for some sun, something the former leader said he was looking forward to.
The police sought the Sandiganbayan's permission to move Estrada to Camp Capinpin, headquarters of the Army's 2nd Infantry Division, ahead of United States President Bush's state visit.
Sheriff Edgardo Orieta clarified the transfer was backed by a previous Sandiganbayan ruling, which allows the transfer of the former president during "emergency" situations as long as the court is notified.
Director Ricardo de Leon, PNP spokesman, said the police have also received reports that Estrada's followers are planning to rescue him from VMMC and could be a target of several terrorist groups.
The police are expected to have their hands full on Oct. 18 with the eight-hour state visit of Bush to the country.
Meanwhile, Arroyo said: "The safety and security of the former President is a matter to be determined by the police authorities, and to be worked out with them directly with the court. We leave the tactical judgments to the PNP."
Deputy Presidential spokesman Ricardo Saludo said the security officers on the ground "are acting pretty much on their own expertise and (based on the) assessment of the situation."
He said that it is likely that Estrada would be returned to the VMMC as soon as Bush leaves. Miko Santos/ST
(October 17, 2003 issue)
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