Cops ready for fallout if Estrada is arrested

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has set up a special police unit to deal with protests should the Sandiganbayan order the arrest of former president Joseph Estrada.

Acting PNP chief Deputy Director General Leandro Mendoza said the special unit would deal with street protests and other disturbances when the government files criminal charges against Estrada.

Mendoza, in an interview with radio station dzXL, stressed that the setting up of the special unit is only part of the routine steps being undertaken amid threats from Estrada loyalists that they would block the enforcement of the court order. Estrada supporters, mostly members of the People’s Movement Against Poverty (PMAP), earlier threatened to barricade entry points to Estrada’s residence on Polk street in Greenhills, San Juan if authorities try to arrest the deposed president.

Estrada’s arrest is imminent once the government files criminal charges against him after the Supreme Court rules with finality on the former president’s petition invoking immunity from criminal prosecution.

The Supreme Court had earlier ruled that Estrada was no longer president and that he no longer enjoyed presidential immunity from criminal suit.

But the high tribunal also gave Estrada until March 23 to submit an appeal for reconsideration. Only then can the SC deliberate on the matter and legal analysts claim that the SC would not likely rush a decision.

The SC also issued an injunction on indicting Estrada on any criminal charge until after it has ruled with finality on his appeal.

The government is preparing at least eight criminal charges, three of which are for the capital crime of economic plunder, a non-bailable offense punishable by death.

Mendoza stressed, however, that the Sandiganbayan would be the one to choose which law enforcement agency would serve the arrest warrant on Estrada.

"The Sandiganbayan can even serve the warrants through its sheriffs. (But) if we will be ordered to do so then we will follow," Mendoza said.

Sandiganbayan sheriff Ed Urieta earlier expressed fear that Estrada loyalists would stage marathon demonstrations and camp-ins during Estrada’s trial.

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Hernando Perez said that many prospective witnesses against Estrada are still too afraid to come forward to testify.

"There are many prospective witnesses who are either afraid or embarrassed and don’t want to testify," Perez said in an interview with radio station dzRH.

Perez said some of these prospective witnesses, including "one of the rumored mistresses of former president Estrada," were negotiating with the government through emissaries. – Mike Frialde