Security measures all set for Napoles arraignment

Janet Napoles. PHOTO courtesy of PNP-PIO and PNP-SAF photographers

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine National Police said security preparations are all in place for Janet Lim-Napoles’ transfer from Fort Sto. Domingo in Laguna to a court in Metro Manila Monday for her arraignment on the illegal detention case filed against her.

Police Senior Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac, PNP-Public Information Office chief, said the security coverage is being headed by Police Senior Superintendent Noli Taliño in place of Chief Superintendent Carmelo Valmoria, PNP-Special Action Force commander, who is currently heading the police group deployed in Zamboanga City for the ongoing standoff.

Sindac said drills on all possible scenarios in the entire transfer of Napoles from the police camp to the Makati City court were conducted over the weekend.

“Taliño has made a full ‘hands-on’ check by conducting a thorough ‘run-through’ on the different aspects of the whole engagement last Saturday,” Sindac said in a text advisory.

Sindac said roughly 100 police officers will be used for the security coverage.

Police Chief Superintendent Jet Villacorte, Southern Police District head, earlier said Napoles might wear a bullet-proof vest for additional protection since she is considered as a “very important [person] for the pork barrel case.”

Laguna is about 65 kilometers away from Metro Manila.

A team from the Special Weapons and Tactics as well as K-9 units will also be deployed at the vicinity of the Makati City Hall.

Napoles’ arraignment will be conducted before Judge Elmo Alameda of Branch 150 of the Makati Regional Trial Court.

On Friday,  Alameda junked Napoles’ petition to postpone the arraignment due to “lack of merit.”

The camp of Napoles, however, was reportedly set to file a motion to allow the conduct of Napoles’ arraignment inside Fort Sto. Domingo for security reasons.

Napoles’ co-accused in the case, her brother Reynald Lim, remained at large.