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Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Cops still on alert for pro-Estrada rally (3:35 p.m.)
MANILA -- National Police Chief Oscar Calderon said no untoward incidents occurred during the Sandiganbayan’s promulgation of its judgment on former President Joseph Estrada on his plunder and perjury cases.
“Generally, I would say it is peaceful. We have not received any reports from the other parts of Metro Manila even in the Visayas and Mindanao that violence transpired,” Calderon told reporters at Camp Crame in Quezon City after the decision was handed down.
Estrada was sentenced to life imprisonment for the plunder charge but was acquitted of his perjury case. His co-accused in the perjury case, Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada and lawyer Edward Serapio were cleared of the charge.
Calderon thanked the followers of the former President for not resorting to violence.
Security officials have said they were anticipating a repeat of the May 1, 2001 siege of Malacańang if Estrada is convicted by the court.
“It’s (promulgation of the sentence) was very peaceful. I would like to thank the followers of the former President for abiding by the agreement that we have (reached) prior to this verdict. Generally, it’s very peaceful,” he said.
Police said at least 700 supporters of Estrada gathered near the Sandiganbayan to show their support to the ousted leader. While no untoward incident occurred, Calderon said they will continue monitoring the Estrada supporters.
“The group of the former President could avail of all the rights available. We cannot really prevent them from having caucus and from conducting conference to discuss legal remedies because that is the right of every citizen,” said Calderon.
“We are continuing our coordination with them (Estrada supporters) so that their actions would be peaceful. Their activities do not have to be violent. We are allowing them (to gather) but my guideline is that if anybody will violate the law, we will arrest them. But at present, I am happy that it was peaceful and they followed our agreement,” he added.
Calderon said the PNP will remain to be on a nationwide full alert despite the peaceful promulgation of the sentence on Estrada, saying the police establishment is not letting its guards down from possible threats.
“We are still on full alert. We have yet to lower it and we are not being complacent. Part of the planning really is we consider the possible worst scenario. We can’t say that our preparation is overreacting. We are just preparing for any contingency,” said Calderon.
Calderon said the PNP will remain the custodian of the former President. Estrada was returned to his rest house in Tanay town in Rizal where he has been on the house arrest for the past several years.
“While the legal remedies are ongoing, the disposition and the custody and the security of the former President will still be with the PNP, through our PSPO (Police Security and Protection Office). We are still his custodians and our former President will remain in Tanay under our PSPO,” he said.
Calderon also appealed to the supporters of the former President for sobriety following a statement by one of his followers that the Arroyo government should be preparing for a new people revolution.
“There should be sobriety. Let us not induce the other people, let us not agitate them. It’s time to be united. The court has issued its decision so let us follow it. The other party can avail of the legal remedies but we should be precipitate in our actions. Lets us be united, lets move forward,” he said. (VR/Sunnex) |
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