50 cops to secure Erap for checkup

At least 50 policemen will escort ousted President Joseph Estrada when he leaves detention to visit a hospital in San Juan where he will undergo his regular medical checkup today.

Later, he will attend the birthday celebration of El Shaddai spiritual leader Mike Velarde at Manila’s Rizal Park before being returned to his Tanay, Rizal resthouse.

Senior Superintendent Romeo Hilomen, Philippine National Police Security Protection Office deputy chief, said police from San Juan and Manila would reinforce Estrada’s security later.

"We will also be involving personnel from the National Capital Regional Police Office, particularly San Juan and Manila," he said.

Hilomen said policemen led by Chief Superintendent Eduardo Doromal, Security Protection Office director, will escort Estrada to the Quirino Grandstand at Rizal Park where he will hear the Mass during the birthday celebration of Velarde.

"We assure the Sandiganbayan of the safety of the former president while he is out of his confinement," he said.

Estrada will be brought back to Tanay either by helicopter or car, depending on the time he will leave the birthday party, Hilomen said.

Estrada has been jailed since April 2001 for graft charges after he was ousted in a military-backed civilian uprising in January 2001 and the installation of then Vice President Arroyo. — Cecille Suerte Felipe