Joseph Estrada yesterday became the first Philippine leader to be arrested for alleged corruption in office, taken from his home amid a tense standoff between thousands of his backers and riot police.
After weeks of legal wrangling and a last-minute flurry of moves aimed at keeping him out of jail, the 64-year-old Estrada defiantly maintained his innocence and insisted he never gave up the presidency.
Hours earlier, the chief anti-graft court, the Sandiganbayan, ordered Estrada's arrest for the non-bailable offense of plunder. The most serious charge in an eight-count indictment carries the death penalty, although it is considered unlikely to be imposed if Estrada is convicted.
To clear a path along the narrow streets to his house in Manila's ritzy Greenhills district, riot police used truncheons and plastic shields to disperse angry Estrada supporters as a police helicopter hovered low overhead.
Vowing to block his arrest or go to jail with him, the crowd pelted police with stones.
"We will not even allow him to surrender. We are ready to die for him," said Jojo Ibay, a 38-year-old supporter who had been outside Estrada's house for three days.
Hundreds more Estrada supporters rallied outside the anti-graft court grounds near demonstrations organized by his detractors. Some wore T-shirts marked "Pro-God, Pro-Constitution," a reference to Estrada's claim that his ouster three months ago was unconstitutional.
Under the brutal midday sun, police were forced to climb over the Estrada compound's fence to unlock the gate so they could deliver the warrant.
The former action film star then was driven 3km to Camp Crame, the main police camp, where a cell has been prepared for him. Police said it was possible he might be transferred outside Manila.
* Estrada is being held in the heavily-fortified police headquarters in Manila, Camp Crame.
* His cell is 3.5m by 5.5m and is equipped with air conditioning, a bed, a bathroom and a corner desk.
* TV and cellphones are not allowed.
* Estrada's five co-accused, including his son Jinggoy, will also be jailed in separate cells inside the police compound.
Source: AFP
Sandiganbayan President Justice Francis Garchitorena said Estrada will get no special treatment.
"The only concession that has been given to him is that he will be in a cell of his own," he said. "He will be detained in a place of detention that is for that purpose. He will not be detained in officers' quarters, that's for sure."
Estrada was accompanied by his wife, who is running for the Senate in May 14 elections; son Jinggoy, who also is charged with plunder; and members of his legal team. The ousted president was fingerprinted and had mug shots taken.
About 8,000 Estrada supporters marched and gathered outside the camp, tearing up election posters of administration candidates. They took iron railings from along the highway and blocked two lanes of the thoroughfare, bringing traffic to a standstill.
National police chief Leandro Mendoza called for calm and vowed not to let protests get out of hand.
"Police forces are being mobilized to thwart any attempt by some groups to take advantage of the situation by sowing disinformation, chaos and violence," he said.
Estrada lawyer Raymond Fortun said he had asked for at least three hours' notice of an arrest warrant to give the former president time to take a bath, pack his clothes and say goodbye to loved ones.
Estrada, who left the presidential palace Jan. 20 among mass street protests demanding he resign over alleged corruption, claimed he is confident he will beat the case against him and berated the government for harassing him and his family.
"I will face and answer all the charges against me. I believe that in the end truth will triumph and that our constitution will prevail," Estrada said in a taped message broadcast by DZRH radio.
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