PNP ready to arrest Loi — Lantion

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is ready to fulfill its role of serving an arrest warrant on Sen. Luisa "Loi" Ejercito should the Sandiganbayan order her inclusion in the plunder charges filed against her husband, former President Joseph Estrada.

Director Thompson Lantion, chief of the PNP’s police-community relations, said the country’s police force is prepared to arrest the former first lady and provide security for her once she is detained.

Providing security to Papal Nuncio Antonio Franco during a visit here yesterday, Lantion said the PNP will respond swiftly if ordered by the anti-graft court which is trying Estrada and his son, former San Juan Mayor Jinggoy, on several plunder cases.

He admitted, however, that arresting Ejercito would be a big challenge since it could trigger violent reaction from her supporters similar to what happened after Estrada was arrested in April.

"We don’t want to have a repeat of that incident," he said, referring to the mass riots that followed an attempt by Estrada supporters to lay siege on Malacañang Palace on May 1. "Providing her security would be another added but necessary expense on the part of the PNP."

Lantion also said that the PNP is ready to act should the Sandiganbayan decide that Estrada and his son were physically fit to be transferred from the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) to a detention house at the Fort Sto. Domingo police camp in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

He said they were just awaiting the results of the medical examinations done on the deposed leader and his son. The prosecution, he pointed out, has asked the court to see if it is still necessary for Estrada to be confined in the hospital.

Lantion noted that the former president would surely be brought back to Laguna once his physician gives him the clearance. "We cannot keep him at Camp Crame," he said, referring to the PNP’s headquarters in Quezon City. "That place is only good for temporary detention."

The police general revealed that the Estradas’ transfer back to Laguna would triple the cost of security for them which, at present, is pegged at P455,000 each time they travel to and from the VMMC by helicopter.

"If the court decides that the physical presence of the former President is needed during the trial, then that would mean an additional drain in the coffers of the government," Lantion said.