Miss Manila candidates pose for the media during a courtesy call on Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada – father of detained Sen. Jinggoy Estrada – at the Manila City Hall on Monday. The 28 candidates are vying for the title on pageant night at the PICC on June 24, the city’s founding day. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Sen. Jinggoy Estrada believes there was conspiracy to rob his house in Corinthian Hills, Quezon City, while his family was away to celebrate the 85th birthday of his mother, former Senator Loi Ejercito Estrada.
“Do I think it’s an inside job, someone guided the suspects? Yes,” Estrada told reporters after his bail hearing for plunder at the Sandiganbayan on Monday.
After Estrada saw pictures of the suspect, Eric Dalagan, he said he has reason to believe he must have known the suspect. “He looks familiar. He could be one of those we contracted to do paint job or electrical works so he was able to familiarize himself with our house.”
Estrada’s wife Precy Ejercito and their children arrived at their house at 3:18 a.m. Saturday. Precy suspected someone broke into their house after she noticed the door leading to the room of her youngest daughter was ajar. She immediately sought help from security personnel.
One of the two suspects, who was then still inside the Estrada residence, jumped off from the balcony and tried to evade arrest. Security personnel, however, caught up with him. The other suspect remains unidentified as of posting time.
CCTV footage revealed the suspects stayed four to five hours at the Estrada residence. Estrada said the suspects felt “at home” and even managed to grab some snack and even defecated in their house. “He drank juice and peeled an apple. He really felt at home,” the senator added.
Shortly after the suspect finished his meal, he went to the master’s bedroom leading to Precy’s office. “That’s the time he took valuables and cash,” Estrada said.
While Dalagan already apologized for his misdeed, Estrada said his apology is not enough to evade arrest. “My daughter was traumatized. Until now, she doesn’t want to go home because she is scared,” he said. (MNS)