Lumbao ordered arrested

A supporter of jailed President Joseph Estrada was ordered arrested by a Manila judge for rebellion charges that stemmed from the bloody attack on Malacañang last May 1.

Four persons were killed, several others were wounded and hundreds were arrested in the Labor Day attack, believed to be "initiated" by supporters of Estrada in an attempt to oust President Arroyo and reinstall the former President.

The attack also forced President Arroyo to declare a "state of rebellion" in Metro Manila that gave law enforcers power to carry out warrantless arrest. The state of rebellion was lifted a few days later.

Manila Judge Teresa Soriaso of Regional Trial Court Branch 27 ordered the immediate arrest of Ronald Lumbao, who, according Philippine National Police (PNP) officials, agitated the crowd at EDSA Shrine at the corner of EDSA and Ortigas Avenue on April 30, the day before the attack on the Palace.

"You are hereby commanded to arrest Lumbao, who is said to be in Hadel corner Tuto streets, Ginoog City, Misamis Oriental or anywhere in the Philippines. He stands charged before me of the crime or rebellion," Soriaso’s one-page arrest order stated. The order was issued last Oct. 18.

The judge said Lumbao should be brought to her court as soon as possible, so the accused could be dealt with according to the law and rules of court.

Soriaso’s staff told The STAR that several representatives from the PNP, Department of the Interior and Local Government and National Bureau of Investigation have obtained copies of the warrant of arrest for Lumbao.

PNP officials linked several well-known people and politicians to the attack but only Lumbao, a known Estrada supporter, was charged with rebellion for the siege on the Palace. Lumbao headed the Partido ng Maralitang Pilipino (PMAP), believed to be a key player in the violent attack on Malacañang. – Cecille Suerte Felipe