PNP presses hospital trial for Estrada

The Philippine National Police (PNP) insisted yesterday that the corruption trial of disgraced former President Joseph Estrada be held at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC).

The PNP made the plea yesterday as the Sandiganbayan ruled that Estrada’s arraignment, which was originally set yesterday, be moved to July 10.

According to Justice Anacleto Badoy of the Sandiganbayan’s third division, the postponement of Estrada’s arraignment on the capital offense of plunder was meant to allow the court to settle numerous defense and prosecution motions still pending in court.

Among the pending petitions is a defense motion to quash the plunder charge. Estrada’s lawyers argue that the anti-plunder law is unconstitutional and vague.

Estrada is still scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow on a charge of perjury but that could also be postponed when the court’s first division, chaired by Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Francis Garchitorena, meets today.

In asking for court proceedings to be held at the VMMC’s 500-seat gymnasium, the PNP, represented by Senior Superintendent Doro-teo Reyes, cited "security risks."

Police have gathered intelligence reports that Estrada’s safety could be endangered "through ambuscades and assassinations" during travel to and from the San-diganbayan, Reyes warned without giving details.

He also cited an alleged plan by Estrada supporters to disrupt the trial "through massive demonstrations and violent actions within the premises" and "destabilize the government through protest actions" in Metro Manila and other urban centers nationwide with the "intent of grabbing power from the present government."

"The threat of the above scenarios can easily put the National Capital Region and the entire country into a state of unruly mobs, violence, armed street encounters and lawlessness," Reyes said.

The police and the Arroyo administration "cannot and must not wait for a situation where some or all of the contingencies are already occurring and put the government at its ultimate defense to preserve its very existence," he said.

Police are capable of handling the threat, Reyes stressed, but could be "unnecessarily sacrificing" its personnel and resources.

Moreover, moving the venue of both the arraignment and the trial "does not affect the merits of the case "while it" will substantially reduce the risks," Reyes added.

While his lawyers do not oppose Estrada’s confinement at the VMMC, they are opposing moves to have the trial conducted at the VMMC allegedly because it violates a Sandiganbayan rule that all trials be made public.

"It diminishes the right of the public to witness the trial. Trials in Metro Manila should be held at the principal office of the court which is the Sandiganbayan," said Estrada lawyer Jose Flaminiano.

Estrada’s lawyers are also opposing that radio and television organizations be allowed to cover the trial live.

The threat is real — AFP

Police and military units were placed on full alert after President Arroyo warned last week that pro-Estrada forces are planning destabilization moves around Estrada’s first court appearance.

"The threat is real with or without the arraignment. We are monitoring certain personalities and certain organizations," Armed Forces chief Gen. Diomedio Villanueva said but gave no details.

"We always assume that some people will go on destabilization (moves) against the present administration," Villanueva said.

Villanueva said more troops from the Armed Forces Northern Luzon and Southern Luzon Commands were deployed to Metro Manila to augment Task Force Libra, the joint military-police contingent protecting Metro Manila from any armed attack.

Armed Force deputy chief of staff Roy Cimatu said 3,500 soldiers have been deployed in Metro Manila since last weekend to deter any anti-government move.

Cimatu is the overall supervisor of the security preparations in Metro Manila while Task Force Libra is headed by Army Maj. Gen. Dionisio Santiago.

Task Force Libra was activated on April 26, a day after Estrada was arrested and when thousands of supporters massed in front of the EDSA Shrine to protest his detention at Camp Crame.

He was later transferred to a special police training facility, Fort Sto. Domingo, in Sta. Rosa, Laguna but was allowed to stay indefinitely at the VMMC last month after undergoing treatment for bronchitis, arthritis and emphysema.

The VMMC, along North Avenue in Quezon City, is only a short distance from the courtroom at the Sandiganbayan Centennial Building along Commonwealth Avenue.

But National Security Adviser Roilo Golez said there were several "choke points" which could be used to threaten Estrada.

If the court decides to hold Estrada’s arraignment at its Commonwealth Avenue building, parts of the busy thoroughfare will be closed to traffic, announced the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

MMDA chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. also said roads leading to and surrounding the VMMC will also be closed but only while Estrada is in transit to the venue of the arraignment and trial.

The PNP also warned civic groups against converging at the historic EDSA Shrine in Mandaluyong City, following reports that thousands of Estrada loyalists are planning to stage protests in conjunction with Estrada’s arraignment.

Police said nobody will be allowed to converge at the EDSA Shrine. Not even pro-administration forces will be allowed to gather at the shrine to maintain peace and order, police added.

The police made the warning as various civic groups announced that they would stage protest rallies to welcome Estrada’s arraignment on a string of criminal charges.

Both the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and the Kilusang Magsasaka ng Pilipinas (KMP) said they would stage the protest rallies to tell the Sandiganbayan that the people strongly oppose any compromise or granting of political concessions to Estrada and his co-accused.

Opposition not into power grab — Biazon

Meanwhile, opposition Sen. Rodolfo Biazon said the Arroyo administration is inflicting damage on the country in claiming the opposition is hatching a "power grab" to coincide with Estrada’s arraignment.

"It is surprising that the executive department is raising an issue that could only contribute to a projection of instability. It seems to be taking an action that is inflicting self-damage to the country," Biazon said in a press conference.

"The public pronouncements of the possibility of a power grab and a very apparent show that even the President is afraid of being assassinated is not helping the country any," Biazon said, referring to security measures implemented around Malacañang Palace.

He said the executive department should be very careful in making such pronouncements and maintained that fears of a power grab are "baseless and ridiculous."

"The opposition cannot mount such an attempt to grab power. The opposition will play a political role. This role will not include power grab," he added.

But Palace officials said there was nothing wrong with security measures around the Palace although the Arroyo administration remained concerned about destabilization plots.

"We’re taking them seriously although we’re not that concerned about it," said Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao.

Tiglao said the security measures have been in place since Estrada loyalists stormed the Palace gates on May 1 but have been eased as shown by the removal of 20-foot container vans that were used to block entry and exit points. – With Efren Danao, Marichu Villanueva, Sandy Araneta, Romel Bagares, Cristina Mendez, Marvin Sy