Police assure dignified treatment of detainees as Sandiganbayan warrant is enforced; two respondents processed, one remains at large
By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Authorities on Monday arrested Senator Rodante Marcoleta and former congressman Mike Defensor, while another respondent was taken into custody as law enforcement agencies continued implementing the arrest warrants issued by the Sandiganbayan in connection with a high-profile plunder case.
Officials confirmed that Marcoleta is undergoing standard booking procedures, including a medical examination, fingerprinting and mugshot documentation, before being transferred to detention.
Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., chief of the Manila Police District, stressed that authorities would enforce the warrant professionally and without degrading the senator.
“We are not here to humiliate anyone. We are here to arrest him and enforce the warrant—not to humiliate the person. He still has his rights,” Nartatez told reporters.
The police official explained that Marcoleta’s photographs would be taken only as part of standard booking procedures routinely conducted on every arrested individual.
In a later development, police announced the arrest of Defensor and fellow respondent Joseph Barez Espiritu during an operation at a Starbucks branch in Quezon City.
The two were taken into custody by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Philippine National Police before being brought to the Sandiganbayan for the formal return of the court-issued warrants.
Authorities said both respondents will undergo medical examination and booking procedures before being transferred to the Payatas City Jail, where they will remain in detention pending further court proceedings.
Police operations are continuing to locate the fourth respondent, Banoyon Veray, who has yet to be taken into custody.
Earlier, Nartatez disclosed that separate police teams had been dispatched to implement the remaining arrest warrant.
Before his arrest, Defensor issued a statement maintaining that the charges against him and his co-respondents were baseless.
He argued that those who had consistently 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.
The former lawmaker added that the criminal case would not weaken their commitment to transparency, accountability and good governance.
“We will not stop—even if we are imprisoned or even if it costs us our lives,” he said.
Authorities said Marcoleta remains in stable condition while undergoing medical evaluation and processing.
Police said additional information on the implementation of the Sandiganbayan warrants and the status of the remaining respondent will be released as operations continue.
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