January 4, 2002, The Philippine Star, PNP Chief Assigned to Secure Estrada Sacked, by Christina Mendez and Jose Rodel Clapano,

January 4, 2002, The Philippine Star, PNP Chief Assigned to Secure Estrada Sacked, by Christina Mendez and Jose Rodel Clapano,

Manila,  (STAR) A police chief superintendent assigned to secure deposed President Joseph Estrada at the Veteran’s Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City was sacked by the Philippine National Police chief for allegedly giving special treatment to the detained former President and his visitors.

PNP chief Director General Leandro Mendoza ordered the relief of Chief Superintendent Danilo Flores, head of the Police Security and Protection Office (PSPO).

Meanwhile, the Sandiganbayan allowed yesterday Estrada to return to the Asian Eye Institute in Phinma Plaza Building, Rockwell Center in Makati, for the continuation of the post-operative evaluation of his left eye.

In a two-page resolution, acting Third Division chairperson Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro allowed Estrada to leave his temporary detention cell at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) on Jan. 7 and Jan. 14. But De Castro strictly ordered Mendoza to provide adequate security measures for Estrada while the former President is being transported from the VMMC to the Asian Eye Institute.

Flores, whose rank is equivalent to a military general, and two of his men with the rank of senior superintendents were sacked last Jan. 1 after they failed to enforce strict security measures for Estrada, who is facing plunder charges before the Sandiganbayan.

The PNP chief designated Senior Superintendent Reynaldo Padajinog as officer-in-charge of Estrada’s security.

Mendoza also directed Director Lucas Managuelod, of the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM), to head an investigation following reports that the former President has been going back to his old habits despite his confinement at the VMCC last year.

According to top police officials, Flores was also asked to explain how Estrada was able to record his audio and video "Christmas messages," distributed to selected radio and television stations during the holidays.

Mendoza was particularly irked when he learned that Estrada received personal visitors, who did not pass through official channels, at the executive lounge of the VMMC.

"He was relieved for violating specific instructions of the chief of the Philippine National Police," said a ranking police source privy to the investigation. "Gen. Flores might have forgotten that Mr. Estrada should be accorded the same treatment given other accused."

Among the activities the detained Estrada reportedly indulged in was regular "body massage," a habit since he was a senator.

Reports reaching Mendoza also revealed that the former president has returned to his old drinking habit with selected friends, who all come and go to the VMMC unmolested by his supposed jailers. "More heads will roll," the official warned. — Christina Mendez and Jose Rodel Clapano