Aglipay says people’s misery clinched his decision to go against Estrada

Metro Manila police chief Director Edgar Aglipay said of the country’s economic problems which he saw in the people’s eyes, emotions and body language, convinced him to withdraw his support to the Estrada administration.

During the past few months of the administration of former President Estrada, Aglipay was everywhere – in rallies, bombing incidents and grenade explosions and meetings with Metro Manila mayors to solve the garbage problem.

"I knew first-hand the sentiments and the pulse of the people. So when the time came for me to decide, I immediately withdrew my support to the former President," Aglipay said in a telephone interview.

On that fateful day Friday, Aglipay gathered his five police district directors, staff officers and station commanders and led them to the EDSA Shrine, where a massive rally against Mr. Estrada was being held, and announced their breakaway from the administration.

"It’s easy for me to decide because I know the government is deceiving the people," said Aglipay. "I arrived at the conclusion because I had heard the grievances of Filipinos from all walks of life."

Even his family, Aglipay said, pressed him to make a stand.

"I know the difference because during anti-government rallies, I saw it in their eyes, their emotions and their body language. So I asked myself, ano pa?," he revealed.

Right after withdrawing his support to Mr. Estrada, Aglipay also cut-off ties with his classmate, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Panfilo Lacson. Both Lacson and Aglipay belong to the famous Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class ’71.

Lacson appeared on TV later also to renounce his allegiance to Mr. Estada.

With the military and PNP deserting him, Mr. Estrada, accompanied by the First Family left Malacañang, hours after Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was sworn in as the country’s 14th President at the EDSA Shrine.

Despite the fact that the country has a new president, Aglipay’s work habit remains the same.

Since he assumed his post in late 1998, Aglipay’s daily routine was to wake up early in the morning, take a shower and leave at 5:30 a.m., go to church, attend to people asking his help and meet his staff or the five police district directors before lunchtime.

He will conduct inspections in the afternoon and after dinner, followed each by meetings with heads of different government agencies. He usually retires to bed at 1 a.m.

"There’s a lot of work to be done to maintain peace and order in the metropolis," said Aglipay. "There’s no reason for me to slow down."

Still, there are talks that Aglipay will be replaced by Arroyo’s protege, Chief Superintendent Florencio Fianza, whose son was linked recently to a car theft case.

When asked to comment on the report, Aglipay said, "Good, so that I can rest. I’ll be waiting for my relief orders."

As of yesterday, Aglipay was taking orders from acting PNP chief Director Leandro Mendoza. – Non Alquitran