SPD to probe attempt to arrest Jinggoy

The Southern Police District (SPD) will investigate why Pasay City policemen tried to arrest Sen. Jinggoy Estrada at the Senate while Congress was in session last Wednesday.

Senior Superintendent Ricardo Padilla, SPD director, said a committee headed by Deputy Director Roberto Bondoc will look into reasons behind the action of the policemen since the Constitution grants lawmakers immunity from arrest while Congress is in session if the crime being charged them is punishable by not more than six years’ imprisonment.

"I am giving them five days to come up with a report on how Pasay policemen hurriedly went to the Senate to serve the warrant given the fact that a senator enjoys immunity on charges punishable by more than six years’ imprisonment," he said.

"There is a need to find out who is at fault here."

The investigating committee was created on orders of Metro Manila police commander Director Reynaldo Varilla, he added.

He was informed that a warrant had been issued for Estrada’s arrest just when the Pasay City policemen were about to serve the warrant, Padilla said. — Rhodina Villanueva