The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Friday said it is prepared to immediately arrest Senator Jinggoy Estrada once it receives the official arrest warrant issued by the Sandiganbayan.
The Sandiganbayan 2nd Division issued an arrest warrant and a hold departure order (HDO) against Estrada in connection with a graft case linked to alleged kickbacks in a flood control project scandal.
In a press conference, NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag said the bureau is currently waiting for a copy of the warrant from the Sandiganbayan before moving to locate and serve it to the senator, RH's Jecelle Ricafort report on "Breaktime."
“As soon as we get hold of the warrant, we will enforce it. We will locate Senator Estrada,” Matibag said.
He stressed that the NBI will coordinate with other law enforcement agencies, including the Philippine National Police (PNP), in carrying out the arrest.
“But there is also an important effort to understand that there are other law enforcement agencies like the PNP,” he said.
“He will be treated the same way as others subject of a warrant of arrest,” Matibag added.
The NBI chief said Estrada has two options once the warrant is served—either voluntarily surrender or face arrest operations.
“So tama naman, dalawa yung option niya, either you surrender voluntarily just like what Sen. Bong Revilla did or hindi siya mag-surrender, hindi siya sumuko, pupuntahan natin siya para maaresto natin siya. At hindi bigyan niya mga jurisdictions sa Sandiganbayan,” he said.
The NBI also clarified that even if Estrada seeks refuge inside the Senate, authorities may still proceed with the arrest, noting that the warrant was issued by a local court.
Matibag cited past cases involving other lawmakers, including former senators Leila de Lima and Antonio "Sonny" Trillanes IV, as well as the late Juan Ponce Enrile, noting that arrests inside official offices have been carried out in accordance with legal procedures.
According to Matibag, Estrada has not sent any surrender feelers to the bureau, but the NBI said its detention facility is ready should the senator opt to submit himself voluntarily.
