Mystery caller saved Ingrid from arrest

A mystery caller reportedly prevailed upon the arresting lawmen against hauling off Ingrid Ramos, the mystery woman in the capture of former senator Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan last Wednesday, a police official claimed yesterday.

The official revealed operatives from the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) — Military Intelligence Group (MIG) and the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) were all set to bring in Ramos for questioning during the arrest of Honasan but were prevented by the "mystery caller."

Several efforts to determine the identity of the caller, who apparently convinced the lawmen to lay off Ramos, had proved futile.

Even military and police contacts, despite an assurance that they would not be named, became apprehensive over the issue.

Combined police and military operatives swooped down on Ramos’ townhouse at Greenmeadows Subdivision in Barangay Ugong, Quezon City before dawn Wednesday following a tip-off that the fugitive former lawmaker was hiding in the place.

Honasan tried to evade pursuing lawmen by jumping out of the window but cut his foot and sprained a leg in the process.

The capture of Honasan sparked an issue because of the circumstances of his arrest.

The focus was on Honasan, who remained a fugitive for nine months, but details surrounding his arrest were clouded with controversy due to the inclusion of Ramos.

A police officer who took part in the arrest earlier revealed the former senator pleaded not to highlight his arrest near the house of Ramos.

Lawmen who effected the arrest claimed they were under strict orders to clam up on the circumstances surrounding the arrest.

It did not take long for several Camp Aguinaldo insiders to reveal that Honasan and Ramos are long-time lovers.

Other sources claimed a video was taken during the arrest showing Honasan and Ramos in a compromising situation.

Honasan was quick to jump out of the window, leaving Ramos to face the military and police raiding teams.

"Talagang totoo ang kasabihan na in the downfall of a man there’s always a woman behind," one of the arresting lawmen remarked.

The source added Honasan was even more nervous than Ramos during his capture.

"Ramos was about to be hauled for questioning to Camp Crame but somebody called up and prevailed upon the overall ground commander of the operation to leave her alone," the source said.

There were speculations that the caller "is a political heavyweight whose request could not just be refused."

Malacañang, on the other hand, is keeping its hands off Ramos.

Presidential chief of staff Michael Defensor appealed to the media not to highlight the supposed relationship between Ramos and Honasan and just allow the investigation to take its course.

"I hope for the sake of the family of Senator Honasan, we should stop talking about or putting malice in the arrest, or where and the circumstances of the arrest. We don’t know the circumstances of what happened," Defensor said.

"It should not be an issue that should be blown out of proportion. It is difficult to speculate. We should just wait for the conduct of formal investigation," he said.

Defensor said accusations that Honasan was double-crossed by the government should also stop since there was never any formal negotiation or agreement for his surrender.

"Unfortunately, or maybe it is also for the better that Senator Honasan was captured before any negotiation could take place," he said. -With Aurea Calica