RP prosecutor predicts Estrada arrest soon

RP prosecutor predicts Estrada arrest soon

MANILA (Agencies): Ousted Philippine leader Joseph Estrada
could face arrested for the capital crime of plunder by Monday,
the country's top graft prosecutor predicted on Sunday.

State ombudsman Aniano Desierto said that Manila's anti-graft
Sandigabayan court would find "probable cause" to order Estrada
arrested on plunder, referring to massive corruption. The charge
is punishable by death and is not bailable.

Asked by ABS-CBN television if he thought Estrada could be
arrested on Monday, Desierto said: "The prosecution predicts that
of course, because we have already submitted all the evidence in
the case and we are certain that there will be probable cause,"
to arrest Estrada.

Desierto has filed eight charges of corruption against
Estrada. He was arrested on two of the charges last week but
swiftly posted bail.

Prosecutors however have asked the Sandigabayan to allow them
to withdraw five lesser charges so that they could concentrate on
plunder.

Last Friday, Justice Secretary Hernando Perez also told
reporters in the southern Philippines that he had received
information that the anti-graft court would issue an arrest order
for Estrada on Monday

Armed forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan said on
Sunday members of Estrada's security entourage have been told not
to resist arrest and follow the chain of command within the
military.

"They are not his private guards. They will not resist any
arrest order otherwise they will also be subject to prosecution,"
Adan said.

Separately, Philippine police said on Sunday plans were in
place in case Estrada's supporters take to the streets if he is
arrested..

National Police (PNP) spokesman Col. Rodrigo de Garcia said
there were no reports of major rallies by Estrada's supporters on
Sunday but police were on alert.

"The rally is not being held right now, but there are threats
that rallies will be held," Garcia told Reuters.

"We have a contingency plan...we are on red alert."

Estrada enjoys significant support, especially in the
country's slum communities. He has appealed to his supporters to
stay calm.

Garcia said police also had plans to reinforce major points of
exit from the country, in case Estrada tried to flee. Estrada has
denied any wrongdoing and has vowed not to flee from the country
but to fight the charges in court.

Speaking to reporters on the weekend Estrada again appealed to
his supporters not to resort to violence if he is arrested.
"Whatever happens, I am placing my fate in the hands of God," he
said.

In an interview with The Philippine Star newspaper published
on Sunday, Estrada said he had received reliable information his
arrest order would be served either on Monday or Tuesday but he
had no plan of becoming a fugitive.

He reiterated that he was prepared to go to jail, but said he
could still avoid arrest if the evidence against him was weak.

"I'm ready (to go to jail) as long as it is...in accordance
with the law," he told the newspaper.

The former movie actor also said if the prosecution failed to
present strong enough evidence, it would make the case bailable.

The newspaper also quoted Estrada as saying he would withdraw
his lawyers from any court proceeding if he felt he would not get
a fair trial.

Besides plunder, Estrada faces seven other charges including
taking more than 500 million pesos ($10 million) in bribes from
illegal gambling syndicates and earning 189 million pesos in
commission from the purchase by two state pension funds of shares
in a gaming firm.