NEWSFLASH

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JUDE ESTRADA'S BODYGUARDS FACE MAUL RAPS

Malacanang, Sept. 13, 1998 - President Joseph Estrada pressed for the investigation of the alleged mauling incident in Quezon City involving the bodyguards of his son, actor Jude Estrada. He wants to find out if there is basis to file charges against the security personnel and the younger Estrada.

The President said his relation to Jude would not save the latter, should he be found liable, because no one is above the law under his administration.

"Pina-imbestigahan ko nga at kung sino man ang may kasalanan, kahit na si Jude ang may kasalanan ay kakasuhan siya kahit na anak ko iyan. Hindi ko kukunsintihin, hindi ko papayagan kahit na sinong kamag-anak ko, kahit na maging anak ko (I had ordered an investigation into the incident and the filing of charges against anyone found liable, including Jude even if he is my son. I will not tolerate any abusive behavior, I will not allow that even if it involves my relatives, or even my children)," the President said in a radio interview.

President Estrada has pledged to govern without fear or favor and vowed that under his leadership the principle of "walang kamag-anak, walang kumpare, walang kaibigan (no relative, buddy, or friend) in dealing with official abuses and corruption will prevail at all times.

Presidential Spokesperson Jerry Barican later said that Jude "was not involved in any way in the alleged mauling incident" and that the three members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) assigned to him had been grounded pending a thorough probe.

"As a matter of general policy, neither the President nor the PSG will tolerate abuse of authority. Anyone found violating the law will be punished," Barican said in his regular press briefing.

"There are conflicting versions of what actually happened. The matter is being investigated. The PSG men involved had been relieved and are confined to the barracks pending the investigation. If found guilty, PSG chief Gen. Jose Calimlim said that appropriate disciplinary sanction will be meted," Barican added.

He explained that Jude's car "has gone ahead when the supposed incident happened" and that only the vehicle carrying his security personnel was involved.

Jude's PSG guards are facing charges before the police for allegedly mauling a security guard in a subdivision in Quezon City Tuesday night.

Security guard Amadino Corre claimed in his complaint that the bodyguards, who were tailing Jude's car in another vehicle, mauled him after he asked for their identification cards before granting them entry into hilAm Life Homes Subdivision on West Avenue.

Corre alleged that he knocked on the vehicle's window to ask for the bodyguards' ID cards in accordance with a "standard operating procedure" for all guests entering the subdivision.

But the PSG men instead alighted from their car and took turns in beating him up, Corre claimed.