PNP to secure Erap on b’day

Some 60 police officers and soldiers will secure former President Joseph Estrada today as he celebrates his 67th birthday at his resthouse in Tanay, Rizal.

At least two teams composed of 15 personnel from the Police Security and Protection Office (PSPO) will be deployed as part of Estrada’s inner security, said Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Joel Goltiao Jr.

Rizal provincial police chief Senior Superintendent Leocadio Santiago also ordered the deployment of two teams from the Rizal Mobile Group as early as 6 a.m. today until Estrada is returned to his detention quarters in Camp Capinpin, which is just across his Tanay property.

The Rizal Mobile Group will take care of perimeter security. Augmenting them is a platoon of about 30 soldiers from the Philippine Army.

"The PNP will provide security for the birthday of ex-President Estrada at his house in Tanay," Goltiao said.

He reiterated that the PNP will not allow any member of the press to interview the former president either personally or by phone.

The Sandiganbayan Special Division approved last Friday night Estrada’s reception of well-wishers at his resthouse from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. today.

Special division presiding Justice Minita Chico—Nazario and Associate Justices Teresita Leonardo de Castro and Francisco Villaluz Jr. ordered the PNP to coordinate with court sheriff Edgardo Urieta to "take adequate personal security measures in all movements and dispositions" of the former president.

But after the birthday ,it will be back to business for the anti-graft court, which will be conducting an ocular inspection tomorrow of Estrada’s resthouse.

The former president had filed a petition for his detention to be transferred from Camp Capinpin to the resthouse.

Nazario said the inspection was prompted by complaints from the former president about the camp’s inadequate facilities. Estrada had already asked the court to allow him two-hour daily visits to the resthouse because of alleged water problems in the camp.

"For us to resolve the judicial motions, we have to see the place," Nazario said.

Defense lawyers Noel Malaya, Manuel Pamaran and Jose Flaminiano had asked the court to modify Estrada’s custodial arrangements by having his Tanay property placed under the supervision and control of both the court and the PNP.

The PNP had already certified before the court that it can guarantee Estrada’s security at his resthouse, effectively removing one of the prosecution’s objections against the transfer from Camp Capinpin.

Chief Superintendent Rolando Sacramento, who is in charge of Estrada’s 56-member, 24-hour security detail, told the court that the PNP can "adequately" ensure the safety of the former president.

"It is hereby certified that, based on our security assessment, the property of President Estrada in Tanay can be adequately secured by this office to ensure the safety and security of President Estrada," Sacramento told the court.

He gave his certification in relation to Estrada’s request to celebrate his 67th birthday at his resthouse today. But the certification was open-ended as it did not even mention the birthday.

The PNP hierarchy also assured the court that they can "prevent any attempt by President Estrada to escape from confinement" should he be detained at his resthouse.