Makati police prepare security for Napoles' court appearance

Police in Makati City on Thursday beefed up security at the Makati Regional Trial Court in preparation for the appearance there of Janet Napoles, the central figure in the P10-billion pork barrel fund scam.

The Makati City police assured the safety of Napoles, who spent Wednesday night at Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame, radio dzBB's Paulo Santos reported.

Napoles is expected to be brought before the Makati Regional Trial Court, which earlier this month issued an arrest warrant for her and her brother Reynald for serious illegal detention.

An updated dzBB report quoted Makati City police chief Senior Superintendent Manuel Lukban Jr. as saying they can provide escorts and support teams for the Napoles convoy from Camp Crame.

Lukban added they are used to provide security to diplomats and VIPs.

This is aside from security arrangements for the RTC where Napoles is to be brought and presented.

Napoles' lawyer Lorna Kapunan earlier said her client surrendered because she feared for her life, and that there are those who want her silenced permanently.

On Wednesday night, Napoles surrendered to President Benigno Aquino and was turned over to the PNP where she was booked.

Her surrender came hours after Aquino announced a P10-million reward for information leading to her arrest.

Napoles had been tagged the brains of an alleged scam involving bogus non-government organizations that received funds from lawmakers' Priority Development Assistance Funds.

Last week, Aquino said it was time to abolish the PDAF but wanted a mechanism to replace it.

On the other hand, the scam had triggered public outrage that led to a huge rally at the Luneta Park in Manila last Monday, with protesters calling for the abolition of the pork barrel system. — LBG, GMA News

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