RP prosecutor predicts Estrada arrest soon<\/p>\n
MANILA (Agencies): Ousted Philippine leader Joseph Estrada
\ncould face arrested for the capital crime of plunder by Monday,
\nthe country's top graft prosecutor predicted on Sunday.<\/p>\n
State ombudsman Aniano Desierto said that Manila's anti-graft
\nSandigabayan court would find \"probable cause\" to order Estrada
\narrested on plunder, referring to massive corruption. The charge
\nis punishable by death and is not bailable.<\/p>\n
Asked by ABS-CBN television if he thought Estrada could be
\narrested on Monday, Desierto said: \"The prosecution predicts that
\nof course, because we have already submitted all the evidence in
\nthe case and we are certain that there will be probable cause,\"
\nto arrest Estrada.<\/p>\n
Desierto has filed eight charges of corruption against
\nEstrada. He was arrested on two of the charges last week but
\nswiftly posted bail.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors however have asked the Sandigabayan to allow them
\nto withdraw five lesser charges so that they could concentrate on
\nplunder.<\/p>\n
Last Friday, Justice Secretary Hernando Perez also told
\nreporters in the southern Philippines that he had received
\ninformation that the anti-graft court would issue an arrest order
\nfor Estrada on Monday<\/p>\n
Armed forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan said on
\nSunday members of Estrada's security entourage have been told not
\nto resist arrest and follow the chain of command within the
\nmilitary.<\/p>\n
\"They are not his private guards. They will not resist any
\narrest order otherwise they will also be subject to prosecution,\"
\nAdan said.<\/p>\n
Separately, Philippine police said on Sunday plans were in
\nplace in case Estrada's supporters take to the streets if he is
\narrested..<\/p>\n
National Police (PNP) spokesman Col. Rodrigo de Garcia said
\nthere were no reports of major rallies by Estrada's supporters on
\nSunday but police were on alert.<\/p>\n
\"The rally is not being held right now, but there are threats
\nthat rallies will be held,\" Garcia told Reuters.<\/p>\n
\"We have a contingency plan...we are on red alert.\"<\/p>\n
Estrada enjoys significant support, especially in the
\ncountry's slum communities. He has appealed to his supporters to
\nstay calm.<\/p>\n
Garcia said police also had plans to reinforce major points of
\nexit from the country, in case Estrada tried to flee. Estrada has
\ndenied any wrongdoing and has vowed not to flee from the country
\nbut to fight the charges in court.<\/p>\n
Speaking to reporters on the weekend Estrada again appealed to
\nhis supporters not to resort to violence if he is arrested.
\n\"Whatever happens, I am placing my fate in the hands of God,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
In an interview with The Philippine Star newspaper published
\non Sunday, Estrada said he had received reliable information his
\narrest order would be served either on Monday or Tuesday but he
\nhad no plan of becoming a fugitive.<\/p>\n
He reiterated that he was prepared to go to jail, but said he
\ncould still avoid arrest if the evidence against him was weak.<\/p>\n
\"I'm ready (to go to jail) as long as it is...in accordance
\nwith the law,\" he told the newspaper.<\/p>\n
The former movie actor also said if the prosecution failed to
\npresent strong enough evidence, it would make the case bailable.<\/p>\n
The newspaper also quoted Estrada as saying he would withdraw
\nhis lawyers from any court proceeding if he felt he would not get
\na fair trial.<\/p>\n
Besides plunder, Estrada faces seven other charges including
\ntaking more than 500 million pesos ($10 million) in bribes from
\nillegal gambling syndicates and earning 189 million pesos in
\ncommission from the purchase by two state pension funds of shares
\nin a gaming firm.<\/p>",
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