MOMENTS after the Sandiganbayan issued an arrest warrant against Senator Rodante Marcoleta and three other cohorts for plunder, a former partylist congressman closely identified with Vice President Sara Duterte was arrested in a coffee shop in Quezon City.
No less than Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla made the announcement on the arrest of former Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor and businessman Joseph Espiritu. Another co-accused in Marcoleta’s plunder case, businessman Aristotle Viray, remains at-large.
Marcoleta was placed under police custody moments after showing up at the Sandiganbayan.
Plunder is a non-bailable offense.
Defensor is also facing a qualified human trafficking complaint filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) over the alleged operation of Chicago KTV Bar and Bleu Hotel in Pasig City.
At least 55 women, mostly foreign nationals, were rescued during the April 21 NBI operation.
Likewise dragged into the human trafficking case were Defensor’s wife Julie Rose, and two children. Defensor has since denied the accusations.
