Estrada detention triggers angry protests

Estrada's lawyer says the former leader's supporters will be satisfied if his client is put under house arrest

In this story: Appeal for house arrest First night 'The truth will come out' RELATED STORIES, SITES

By Staff and wire reports

MANILA, Philippines -- Thousands of supporters of former Philippine President Joseph Estrada are massing at a main road in the capital, Manila, in a vigil to protest his arrest.

The protest is taking place at the same spot where demonstrators demanded Estrada's overthrow amid allegations of widespread corruption in January.

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Most of the protesters have pledged to stay on Epifano delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) in a round-the-clock vigil, in a bid to bring their fallen idol back to power.

The pro-Estrada rally is being held about a kilometer away from a police camp where the former president is being detained.

Appeal for house arrest

Estrada is expected to remain in police custody unless the anti-graft court, the Sandiganbayan, grants him house arrest, or he wins bail.

But neither is expected to happen anytime soon.

The court has given Estrada's lawyers until Tuesday to present arguments for detaining him at his luxurious home instead of in prison.

Presiding justice Francis Garchitorena has also dismissed any possibility of Estrada being released on bail before he is arraigned.

Estrada is being held on a charge of economic plunder, which is a capital offense and is non-bailable.

But justice officials, including Garchitorena have said the law permits a suspect to be released on bail, even for capital offenses, if there is no strong evidence against him.

Estrada's lawyer, Raymond Fortun has said Estrada's release from police detention would calm the anger of supporters currently camped along EDSA.

First night

Estrada and his son are being detained at a Philippine Police camp

Just three months ago, the former action film star Joseph 'Erap' Estrada was living in the luxury of the presidential palace.

On Wednesday, home became a relatively bare jail cell.

Estrada said the cell had an air-conditioning unit "but there is no air coming out."

"There is no special treatment. Even the food is (served) in plastic."

Police said the cell had a cot, a toilet and a corner desk, but no television or telephone.

'The truth will come out'

Estrada says corruption charges against him are a total fabrication and a violation of his civil rights.

Speaking exclusively to CNN just after his dramatic arrest, Estrada said he doubted that he would get a fair trial under the current administration.

Nonetheless Estrada, the only Philippine president ever arrested for graft, said he remained confident that "the truth will come out in the end."

The former leader who was forced to quit office amid a wave of popular street protests in January added that he believes he remains the legitimate leader of the Philippines and his arrest was part of a political conspiracy against him.

"As far as I'm concerned I'm still the duly elected president under our constitution," he told CNN from Philippine National Police Headquarters in Manila where he is being detained.

When asked for a comment on Estrada's arrest, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo refrained from making any definite statement.

"My spokesman has already read my statement and I wish to say nothing further than that," she told CNN. Her statement said it was an important event in the history of the Philippines.

When pressed on whether she would support a death penalty if it was rendered to Estrada, Arroyo refused to answer.

"I am not going to speak about that personally," she said.

The Associated Press & Reuters contributed to this report.

Estrada: 'The truth will come out'
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Estrada tells loyalists to remain calm
April 19, 2001
Cases withdrawn against Estrada may be revived
April 18, 2001
Estrada arrest warrant issued
April 16, 2001

Philippine Office of the Press Secretary

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