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Arroyo visits jailed Estrada
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PHILIPPINES President Gloria Arroyo visited her jailed predecessor Joseph Estrada on Thursday to check on his treatment and inspect the conditions in his prison cell, a presidential spokesman said.
Press Undersecretary Roberto Capco stressed that the visit was "absolutely" unrelated to a government crackdown on pro-Estrada rioters who attacked the presidential palace on Tuesday or to the cases the former leader is facing in court.
Estrada was taken to the Fort Santo Domingo prison at a police special forces training camp about 70 kilometers south of Manila on Tuesday as his supporters were attacking Malacanang palace.
He faces the maximum penalty of death if convicted of the charge of plunder. The trial starts on June 27.
Local television reported that three helicopters of the air force's presidential wing landed at the isolated police camp around noon.
"She went there upon the invitation of Cardinal Ricardo Vidal," Capco said, referring to the Roman Catholic archbishop of Cebu, a close friend of Estrada.
"It's just an inspection visit," he said, and there was "absolutely nothing" to be expected in the way of possible negotiations.
Arroyo had previously said she would visit Estrada in prison if she was welcome, but insisted that the law must take its course.
Amid the rioting on Tuesday, Arroyo had accused Estrada of being involved in a plot to install a "civilian-military junta" in her place.
She has since imposed a "state of rebellion" on Manila, banned all pro-Estrada assemblies, and ordered the arrest of prominent politicians identified with her predecessor, including two senators.(SD-Agencies)
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