The Philippine National Police said the peaceful and orderly arrest of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada showed that the rule of law can be enforced without unnecessary confrontation, regardless of a person’s position or status.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. commended the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group for what he described as a professional implementation of the Sandiganbayan arrest warrant against Estrada, who is facing plunder and graft charges linked to alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
Nartatez said the CIDG operation proved that compliance with court orders remains the safest and most orderly way to uphold the justice system.
“By prioritizing professionalism and the rule of law, we achieved a smooth process that benefited both sides, completely avoiding unnecessary confrontation while fully upholding the dignity of our legal system. This is how professional law enforcement works,” he said.
Estrada was arrested after the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division issued a warrant against him. Former Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan and other former DPWH-National Capital Region officials were also included in the charge sheet.
Except for Bonoan, the accused have been transferred to the New Quezon City Jail Dormitory in Payatas, Quezon City.
Nartatez said the PNP would continue enforcing lawful orders regardless of rank, title or political status.
“The PNP operates strictly on legal frameworks, meaning no individual is above the law, regardless of rank or title. We remain focused on our mandate of locating and arresting all those in the fugitives list,” he said.