PNP: No need to monitor Imelda Marcos prior to arrest
“Una the former first lady, hindi naman baka magalit sa atin ang matanda, pero may edad na kasi. We have to take into consideration the age. In any arrest or anybody or that matter, that has to be taken into consideration, the health, age, isa yun,” Albayalde said.
Marcos was sentenced by Sandiganbayan Fifth Division to suffer imprisonment from six years and one month up to 11 years after she was found guilty of seven counts of graft.
The charges stemmed from Marcos's “financial interests and participation in the management of private foundations in Switzerland” when she served as a Cabinet official during the term of her late husband, former President Ferdinand Marcos.
The Sandiganbayan also ruled that Marcos is “perpetually disqualified from holding any public post.”
The PNP said earlier that it is ready to arrest the Ilocos Norte lawmaker.
“Opo. Nakahanda po ang PNP kahit kung may kautusan na dadalhin sa Camp Crame nakahanda po kami (The PNP is ready in case there is an order to bring her to Camp Crame),” said Albayalde.
As to critics' claims that the PNP is giving special treatment to Marcos, citing the case of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, where police operatives were immediately deployed in the Senate while waiting for the arrest warrant against the senator, Albayalde said they do not see any problem with Marcos's case because of her age.
“Kanya (Senator Antonio Trillanes IV) is just a pre-emptive measure in case na talagang lumabas (ang arrest warrant). Ito naman (Imelda) kasi wala tayong nakikitang magiging problema sa kanya dahil unang-una, may edad na babae,” he said.
He added that he already tapped the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), which will lead the operation in case the arrest warrant against Marcos is released.
“We heard na 'yung decision ilalabas today. Kung lalabas 'yung warrant of arrest, it will be the CIDG. I've already told the director ng CIDG to lead kung kami talaga 'yung mautusan na mag-aresto sa kaniya," he said.
(We heard that the decision will be issued today. If the arrest warrant is out, I've already told the CIDG director to lead.)
Albayalde said the PNP custodial center is already clean and ready to accommodate Marcos, or she might also be detained at the PNP health service considering her age and health condition.
TNorte HERE is no need for police to monitor Ilocos Representative Imelda Marcos prior to her possible arrest considering her age and health condition, said Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Albayalde on Monday, November 12.