Enrile tells children: ‘I’ll be back’

Senator Juan Ponce Enrile. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines –“Don’t worry, I’ll be back,” Senator Juan Ponce Enrile reportedly told his two children, Katrina and Jack, as he prepared to surrender to police with the issuance of an arrest order against him.

Enrile’s counsel Lawyer Enrique dela Cruz said in a phone patch interview that his children insisted on accompanying their father to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Headquarters in Camp Crame where he will undergo the regular booking process.

But the lawyer of the 90-year-old senator said they were hoping that his client would be committed to the hospital.

“We are praying that be allowed to stay at hospital considering his age and condition,” Dela Cruz said.

Since last week, the PNP General Hospital was being prepared for the impending arrest of Enrile. He may be detained in either of the two rooms in the hospital; one could be the Public Order Violator (POV) room or the air-conditioned “Special Ward.”

On Saturday, however, Dela Cruz said Enrile has a scheduled eye operation at the Asian Eye Center.

He said they would make a “special request” that he be allowed to undergo the operation.

Enrile left his residence at Dasmarinas Village in Makati City at around 4:30 p.m. and was reported to be on his way to Camp Crame.

The PNP said, while waiting for his commitment order, the senator would be detained at the PNP Custodial Center, where his fellow Senators Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. were being detained.

The Sandiganbayan third division on Friday found probable cause to try Enrile for plunder and graft in connection with the pork barrel scam.

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