Police process senator’s arrest while teams move to serve warrants on former lawmaker and two other respondents
By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Senator Rodante Marcoleta was formally placed under police custody on Monday after the warrant of arrest issued by the Sandiganbayan took effect, while authorities launched operations to arrest three other respondents, including former congressman Mike Defensor, in connection with a plunder case.
Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., chief of the Manila Police District, confirmed that Marcoleta is undergoing standard booking procedures, including a medical examination and the taking of mugshots.
Asked whether the senator had voluntarily surrendered or had been arrested, Nartatez clarified that the implementation of the Sandiganbayan warrant legally constitutes an arrest.
“The warrant of arrest has taken effect. That means he has been arrested,” the MPD chief said.
Nartatez added that separate police teams have been dispatched to serve arrest warrants on Defensor and the two other respondents identified as Joseph Barez Espirito and Banoyon Veray. The teams have been directed to proceed to their last known addresses to enforce the court’s order.
Authorities also said Marcoleta remains in good physical condition while undergoing police processing.
Meanwhile, Defensor broke his silence following the issuance of the arrest warrant, insisting that the charges against him and his co-respondents are baseless.
In a statement, the former lawmaker said it was ironic that those who had long campaigned against corruption were now the first to face imprisonment over what he described as an unfounded case.
“We are the ones who fought against corruption, yet we are the first to be jailed over a case that has no factual basis,” Defensor said.
He maintained that the legal case would not diminish their commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance, arguing that genuine advocates of reform were being prosecuted ahead of those allegedly responsible for the misuse of public funds.
Despite the arrest order, Defensor vowed to continue fighting.
“We will not stop—even if we are imprisoned or even if it costs us our lives,” he said.
The Sandiganbayan’s arrest order marks the latest development in the high-profile plunder case, with law enforcement authorities continuing efforts to bring all four respondents under the court’s jurisdiction.
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