Probably no handcuffs for Imelda Marcos on her arrest – PNP chief
Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda Marcos at the House of Representatives in Quezon City. (File photo by LYN RILLON / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Updated @ 1:25 a.m., Nov. 14, 2018
Former first lady Imelda Marcos will probably not be handcuffed when arrested, according to Director General Oscar Albayalde, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
According to Albayalde, the hands of old convicts, especially women with no prior “history of violence,” are usually not tied together.
“Unang una po, siya naman ay babae,” Albayalde said in an interview on Tuesday with AM radio DZMM. “Most of the time, kung meron man po, kahit sino po lalo na kung medyo may edad na mga babae, hindi na po natin naman na pino-posasan, lalo na kung wala namang history of violence.”
[First of all, she’s a woman. Most of the time, anyone who is an elderly woman, is not handcuffed, especially is she has no history of violence.]
Albayalde insisted, however, that the PNP would not give any special treatment to the 89-year-old Marcos, who was convicted last Friday, Nov. 9, by the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division for seven counts of graft.
The court found Marcos guilty of allocating funds to seven Swiss foundations while holding key government posts in the 1970s, at the height of the rule of her husband, then President Ferdinand Marcos.
READ: Sandiganbayan: Swiss ‘foundations’ set up to benefit Marcos family
“Wala pong special treatment diyan. Wala pong may air-con. Kung ano pong meron ang isa, ‘yon ang meron ang lahat. So wala pong special treatment. And we do not intend to give anybody special treatment,” he said.
[There’s special treatment for her. No air-con. Whatever one has, that’s what everyone has. So there’s no special treatment. And we do not intend to give anybody special treatment.]
At a press briefing on Monday, Albayalde said the advanced age and health of Marcos would be considered in her possible arrest.
Critics translated the statement as indicative of the hesitation of the police in jailing the wife of former President Marcos, which allegedly ran contrary to their stance when Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV — a staunch critic of the current administration — was arrested.
However, Chief Supt. Benigno Durana Jr., PNP spokesperson, clarified that that Albayalde was only referring to Mrs. Marcos’ flight risk and not to any special favors.
READ
Albayalde on Marcos’ arrest: We have to take into consideration her age
Albayalde’s remarks on Imelda’s age taken out of context — PNP spokesperson
Albayalde reiterated that the PNP would be willing to serve the warrant of arrest against Marcos.
“We are very much willing to serve the warrant, kung meron po, at lalong-lalo na kung may kautusan ‘yong Sandiganbayan,” he said.
[We are very much willing to serve the warrant, if any, and especially it’s ordered by the Sandiganbayan.]
“We will serve the warrant any time of the day,” he added.
He again denied rumors that there was a difference in the PNP’s handling of the cases of Trillanes and Marco, noting that the presence of members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) near the Senate was normal.
He admitted though that Trillanes role in previous uprisings in 2003 and 2007 were factors.
“Actually, yung preparations po namin halos pareho lang,” he said. “Unang-una, even without the resolution, I have already given directives sa CIDG to prepare just in case na lumabas ‘yan at immediately i-serve ‘yong warrant just like the case of Trillanes.”
[Actually, our preparations are almost the same. First of all, even without the resolution, I have already given directives to the CIDG to prepare just in case it comes out and to immediately serve the arrant, just like the case of Trillanes.]
“Ang sinasabi lang po natin is nai-iba lang si Senator Trillanes is because meron siyang previous history of rebellion case,” he added.
[What I’m saying the only difference in the case of Trillanes is that he has a previous history of a rebellion case.]
Opposition groups have pointed out that, unlike Marcos’s case, cases against Trillanes are still being heard at the Makati City Regional Trial Court.
The camp of Marcos may still file a motion for reconsideration before the Supreme Court.
However, if the high court upholds the Sandiganbayan ruling, she will serve a sentence of six years and one month up to 11 years in prison for each count of graft, aside from being perpetually disqualified from public office. /atm
