Estrada arrested

Estrada and his son are being detained at a facility about 4 kilometers from their home

By CNN's Hope Ngo

MANILA, Philippines -- Former Philippine President Joseph Estrada and his son, Jinggoy, are in police custody following their arrest on charges of economic plunder.

Both men were transported by bus under police escort from their home to the detention facility located at the Philippine National Police headquarters.

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Estrada's lawyers had originally proposed that the former president be held at the anti-graft court itself, but the court's presiding judge, Francis Garchitorena, dismissed the possibility.

"It's not going to happen," Garchitorena told CNN. "We don't have the concern, the interest or the facilities to hold him,"

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He said Estrada would not be allowed to take his mobile phone, and he will not receive any special treatment.

"The only concession that has been given to him is that he will be in a cell of his own," Garchitorena said. "He will be detained in a place of detention that is for that purpose. He will not be detained in the officers' quarters; that's for sure."

Police took Estrada into custody after dispersing hundreds of supporters that had been forming a human barricade outside his home.

They had been camped outside the gates of the former leader's house and many had vowed to die defending him.

As arresting officers moved in, riot police fired water jets at the crowd.

Warrant for graft

Estrada was picked up a few hours after the anti-graft court, known as the Sandiganbayan, issued an arrest warrant against the former leader for plunder.

Under Philippine law the offense is non-bailable.

However, Garchitorena held out the hope that the former president may be freed after payment of a sizeable bond if a court decides the evidence against him isn't strong enough to warrant his detention.

"(There is) no schedule yet," he said. "Arraignment can only come after there is a proper report from the arresting officers."

"(It is) entirely possible that the court may await the arrest of the other accused, or if it's clear no others will be arrested, then they (Estrada and his son) can be arraigned," he said.

The economic plunder charge cites seven other people aside from the Estradas. Some are believed to be out of the country.

Estrada appeared at the anti-graft court last week to post bail on other charges

"He's going to be spending some time in detention, there's no way around it," Garchitorena said.

Last week, Estrada turned himself in and posted bond after the court issued a separate warrant on lesser charges of perjury and graft.

As well as plunder, perjury and graft, Estrada is also accused of three counts of violating the anti-graft law, and the violation of the law on ethical standards.

In theory the charge of plunder is a capital offense under Philippine law, but observers say it is highly unlikely that Estrada, if convicted, would face the death penalty.

Estrada was ousted as Philippine president on January 20, amid allegations of widespread graft and corruption.

He says he is innocent of the accusations against him.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Philippine Office of the Press Secretary

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