Ingrid not on list of visitors allowed to visit Gringo

Ingrid Ramos, the alleged long-time lover of detained former senator Gregorio Honasan, is not in the list of persons allowed to visit him at his detention cell in Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

The list submitted by Honasan names about 30 persons, most of them members of his immediate family. He faces charges of coup d’état for the short-lived Oakwood mutiny in 2003 and rebellion for this year’s failed Feb. 24 coup.

"The names of his wife Jane and their children were there as well as his lawyer Danilo Gutierrez and friend Vicente Sotto III," a source who saw the official list of Honasan’s visitors, said.

"Why did he not include Ingrid Ramos among his visitors when he was supposed to trust her so much that he was caught in her place?" he asked.

Joint elements of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) arrested Honasan at Ramos’ place in Enclave Townhouses in Greenmeadows, Quezon City last Nov. 15. Honasan’s arrest ended almost nine months of hiding.

The source said even the alleged love child of Honasan and Ramos was not included in the official list of visitors.

The presence of Honasan in Ramos’ residence prompted agents from the PNP-CIDG, ISAFP and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into the assets of the woman, who reportedly has a number of properties not only in Metro Manila but in Cebu as well.

Government agents also tapped the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to assess Ramos’ assets following the possibility that she benefited or kept the money Honasan allegedly raised to fund coup attempts and other efforts to oust President Arroyo.

Honasan was transferred late Friday afternoon from Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Alabang, Muntinlupa City to Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, which is guarded by highly trained members of the Special Action Force (SAF), a unit allegedly supportive of the former senator’s cause.

Then PNP chief Arturo Lomibao relieved SAF director Chief Superintendent Marcelino Franco, who admitted his men’s link to the alleged failed coup last Feb. 24.

Franco was placed under investigation and his retirement benefits reportedly put on hold.

PNP officials, however, brushed aside talk that Honasan might be able to escape if he is guarded by SAF personnel.

PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Samuel Pagdilao Jr. said the PNP is banking on the loyalty of SAF members to the police organization.

"SAF is a professional unit under new officers who are competent and whose loyalty and sense of professionalism is beyond doubt," he said. "The concern of some sectors should now be set aside because of this."

Pagdilao also noted that the chance of Honasan escaping under the SAF’s close watch "is nil, as is the chance that he will be able to convince his guards to let him go scot-free."

At Malacañang, officials are counting on Honasan’s cooperation to capture other people involved in efforts to destabilize the government.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the Palace asked the Department of Justice to "explore and exploit" the testimony coming from Honasan, who had earlier assured the government of his help to stabilize the country’s political situation.

Honasan is expected to reveal the identities of the financiers and other supporters of the failed coup attempt earlier this year.

"If it is true that he will indeed cooperate then that is a very good development, which can help mitigate (attempts to overthrow the government)," Ermita said.

He added that Honasan’s cooperation sends "a correct signal to those not yet accounted for that they must return to the fold of the law."

Officials said most of Honasan’s co-accused and supposed coddlers were civilians and retirees from the uniformed services. They said active military and police officials and personnel involved have been identified and made responsible.

"We have to strengthen our political stability. That is a must because whatever economic headway we achieve is still dependent on our political stability," Ermita said.

Earlier, Presidential Chief of Staff Michael Defensor said it would be better for Honasan’s co-accused and alleged coddlers to learn from the former senator’s experience and surrender. — With Aurea Calica