PNP: No need to deploy men ahead of Marcos arrest

MANILA. In this August 28, 2017, file photo, former Philippines first lady and now Congresswoman Imelda Marcos visits the gravesite of her late husband former dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Heroes Cemetery in observance of National Heroes Day in Taguig City. (AP)
MANILA. In this August 28, 2017, file photo, former Philippines first lady and now Congresswoman Imelda Marcos visits the gravesite of her late husband former dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Heroes Cemetery in observance of National Heroes Day in Taguig City. (AP)

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde said on Monday, November 12, that there is no need to deploy policemen in anticipation of the issuance of a written order to arrest Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos because of her age and health condition.

“Una the former first lady, hindi naman baka magalit sa atin ang matanda pero may edad na kasi. We have to take into consideration the age. In any arrest or anybody or that matter that has to be taken into consideration, the health, age, isa yun,” Albayalde said.

Albayalde sought to explain why policemen have not been deployed to the House of Representatives amid criticisms that the police were quick to deploy its men to the Senate in the case of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who was ordered arrested following the revocation of his amnesty and the revival of the rebellion charge against him.

“Kanya (Senator Antonio Trillanes IV) is just a pre-emptive measure in case na talagang lumabas (ang arrest warrant). Ito naman (Imelda) kasi wala tayong nakikitang magiging problema sa kanya dahil unang-una, may edad na babae,” Albayalde said.

Marcos, former first lady of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, was found guilty by the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division of seven counts of graft which stemmed from her “financial interests and participation in the management of private foundations in Switzerland” when she served as a Cabinet official during her late husband’s term.

The anti-graft court on November 9 verbally ordered the arrest of Marcos and meted her the penalty of imprisonment from six years and one month to 11 years for each count of graft.

READ: Sandiganbayan orders arrest of Imelda Marcos

The Sandiganbayan also said that Marcos is “perpetually disqualified from holding any public post.”

The PNP said earlier that it is ready to arrest the Ilocos Norte lawmaker, but it was still waiting for the Sandiganbayan order.

“Opo. Nakahanda po ang PNP kahit kung may kautusan na dadalhin sa Camp Crame nakahanda po kami (The PNP is ready in case there is an order to bring her to Camp Crame),” said Albayalde.

Albayalde said he already tapped the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), which will lead the operation in case the arrest order against Marcos is released.

“We heard na 'yung decision ilalabas today. Kung lalabas 'yung warrant of arrest, it will be the CIDG. I've already told the director ng CIDG to lead kung kami talaga 'yung mautusan na mag-aresto sa kaniya," he said.

(We heard that the decision will be issued today. If the arrest warrant is out, I've already told the CIDG director to lead.)

Albayalde said the PNP custodial center is already clean and ready to accommodate Marcos, or she might also be detained at the PNP health service considering her age and health condition. (SunStar Philippines)

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