FORMER senator Jose Ejercito Jr. "Jinggoy Estrada" was released without any charges filed against him, but with a "stern warning" against violating quarantine guidelines again, a police official said on Monday.
His release contradicted a directive by Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Archie Gamboa to no longer give a warning to enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) protocols, but to immediately arrest and charge them.
"Binigyan na lamang ng stern warning si dating Senator Jinggoy Estrada na makipag-ugnayan sa LGU (local government unit) kung ito'y mamamahagi ng pagkain at sumunod lagi sa panuntunan ng social distancing na ipinapatupad sa ilalim ng ECQ (enhanced community quarantine)," PNP spokesperson Brigadier General Bernard Banac.
"Walang kaso na isinampa ang PNP laban sa kanya. Wala ring inaresto mula sa mga taong tumanggap ng pagkain," he added.
Estrada was arrested Sunday afternoon for conducting relief operations without any permit from the San Juan City government.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año, in a Laging Handa briefing Monday, said Estrada and his group committed four violations.
Año said Estrada did not have any permit; the people distributing the goods had no quarantine pass; social distancing was not observed during the distribution; and senior citizens and minors went out of their homes.
The DILG has issued a directive instructing groups and individuals planning to conduct operations to coordinate first with the LGU for the issuance of permit to ensure peace and order during the activity.
In a television interview on Monday morning, Estrada described his arrest as "plain harassment."
"Wala silang mahanap na ikakaso sa akin dahil wala naman akong vinaviolate talaga," he said.
"Talagang this is a plain harassment talagang pinapatigil ako nitong mayor ng San Juan na tumulong dito sa sariling kong bayan, yun lang naman yun, that is simple politics," he said.
He was referring to San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, who had ended the Estradas' 50-year rule in the said city when he defeated the former senator's daughter Janella.
Last month, Zamora also ordered the closure of the rolling store established by Janella for the residents of San Juan. The said store was selling food items for half the price.
However, Zamora said on April 29, he issued a permit to Janella for the distribution of free medicines.
Estrada said Zamora's "acts" will not stop them from helping the residents of San Juan who are affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
"Hindi mapipigilan na tumulong, gagawa at gagawa ako ng paraan," he said. (VoxPop Philippines)