Plot to spring Erap from VMMC bared

The Philippine National Police (PNP) bared yesterday an alleged plot to spring ousted President Joseph Estrada from detention at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City before Saturday’s arrival of US President George W. Bush for a state visit.

Intelligence sources at Camp Crame said the supposed plot prompted top PNP officials to ask the Sandiganbayan, which is trying Estrada for large-scale corruption, to transfer the former president to a more secure location.

"Some threat groups will likely take advantage of the visit of President Bush on Saturday," said a senior official, who claimed some groups are planning to take advantage of the expected anti-US demonstrations to spring Estrada from the VMMC.

The source said militant groups have scheduled anti-US protest rallies during Bush’s eight-hour visit. Together with this, some groups are allegedly planning to assassinate Estrada.

"There have been information on (supposed) threats on the life of detained President Estrada," the source said.

The intelligence source said authorities are also evaluating reports that Estrada loyalist Ronald Lumbao has defied Estrada’s appeal for his supporters not to join anti-Bush demonstrations.

Another police official said Estrada may be brought to his resthouse in Tanay, Rizal, which is near the army’s Camp Capinpin training facility.

The source said the former president may be joined by his son, former San Juan mayor Jinggoy Estrada, who usually stays at the Tanay resthouse.

"Jinggoy usually stays there. It is complete with facilities, including a swimming pool," the source said.

Chief Superintendent Prospero Noble, who heads the security unit assigned to Estrada, confirmed that they are preparing to transfer Estrada and that the PNP legal service has filed a petition asking the Sandiganbayan to temporarily transfer the former president.

Meanwhile, PNP community relations chief Director Ricardo de Leon said all security preparations are underway for Bush’s scheduled arrival on Saturday.

"For the visit, there is a final coordination for our task groups and final check up on how the PNP will be deployed from the airport to the embassy, Malacañang and the Batasan Pambansa," De Leon said.