Disgraced former Philippine leader Joseph Estrada was hauled off to prison on Wednesday to stand trial for economic plunder, a charge which could cost him his life.
Thousands of police and Marines swarmed into the 64-year-old former movie star's home in suburban Manila at noon to arrest Estrada, who became the first former Philippine leader to end up in jail.
They fought off hundreds of Estrada supporters who hurled rocks, wood and bottles as a police helicopter hovered overhead.
Estrada and his son Jose Ejercito, a co-defendant, were driven to the nearby national police headquarters in mid-afternoon, to be photographed and fingerprinted. They were not handcuffed.
The father was thrown into a spartan, 19.3 square meter (209 square foot) cell at the heavily guarded camp. He had the cell to himself, with drug dealers and an alleged Muslim terrorist among his new neighbors.
Estrada was indicted three weeks ago for using his position to amass 80 million dollars through illegal means, including embezzlement of government funds.
Death is the maximum penalty for plunder, and bail is not allowed if the court rules the evidence against him is strong.
Analysts, however, have played down the prospect of the death sentence being carried out under Estrada's successor Gloria Arroyo, who has not approved any lethal injections since assuming the presidency in a popular revolt against Estrada in January.
The Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that Arroyo's succession was legal and that Estrada had lost his presidential immunity.
The former president protested his innocence, and his lawyers swiftly filed suit to have him placed under house arrest instead.
"As far as I'm concerned I'm still the duly elected president under our constitution," Estrada told CNN television network from his jail cell.
"I know the charges are very weak," he said. "I was denied due process of law and they are making a mockery of the bill of rights."
Wearing casual clothes, Estrada boarded a dark-colored luxury van to jail, eschewing a police bus that had backed up into his garage.
Aides said he had no appetite and skipped breakfast and lunch as the police and military staged a massive operation to secure his mansion.
Police sources said the operation involved at least 2,000 policemen and Marines.
Police chief Leandro Mendoza said he would extend to Estrada "all due courtesy befitting a former head of state."
"However, there shall be no special privileges and no compromise with existing policies on custodial procedures."
Mendoza also warned the Estrada supporters and other groups against carrying out violent street protests.
The court also ordered the arrest of seven other defendants, including Estrada friends Charlie Ang and Yolanda Ricaforte who police say have fled to the United States.
Arroyo hailed Estrada's arrest, saying it sent a "clear message" that corruption did not pay.
"The Filipino people were victimized when government funds were used for private purposes," the president said.
"They deserve justice, and this is what the decision of the (court) is all about. It is all about justice," she added.
Philippine stock prices surged 1.3 percent on news of the arrest, which analysts said removed an element of uncertainty in the political landscape.
"We have always been criticized for treating powerful people differently. This is a good signal that we mean business this time," Finance Secretary Alberto Romulo said -- MANILA (AFP)
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
