Lozada arrested, detained

The man who blew the whistle on the controversial national broadband network (NBN) deal that implicated several high government officials was arrested yesterday on charges of perjury.

Former government consultant Rodolfo Noel “Jun” Lozada Jr. was arrested yesterday by members of the Manila Police District (MPD) who served the warrant a day after it was issued by the Manila Metropolitan Trial Court.

Lozada did not resist arrest when he was picked up by the lawmen from De la Salle Greenhills in San Juan City. He refused to post bail for his release.

The arresting lawmen led by SPO4 Alfredo Valenzuela and SPO2 Pedro Flores had to wait for 20 minutes for Lozada to emerge with his lawyer Jose Manuel Diokno.

“I only need a lawyer to make sure that everything is correct. I would accept the arrest warrant without qualms,” Lozada said.

Lozada yielded peacefully and was accompanied by numerous supporters who followed the police convoy to the MPD headquarters in Manila.

Police said Lozada would be temporarily detained at the office of the Detective Jail Management Section awaiting the commitment order from the court for transfer to the Manila City Jail.

Former presidents Corazon Aquino and Joseph Estrada said they were saddened that Lozada was arrested for merely telling the truth.

Mrs. Aquino said Lozada became “a victim of injustice.”

“I’m deeply saddened by the news that Mr. Jun Lozada has been placed under arrest on allegations of perjury. I shall pray for him that he may be delivered from harm and injustice.”

Mrs. Aquino said Lozada’s arrest “serves to intimidate those who fight for the truth, fairness and decency in our society.”

“I appeal to all freedom-loving Filipinos to support Mr. Jun Lozada in every way possible and to make it known loud and clear that he is not alone,” she said.

Estrada also urged support for Lozada, saying his arrest was obviously politically motivated.

“This is obviously politics. Why should you arrest a man for speaking the truth? All of us are supporting him. I urge all Filipinos to join Jun Lozada,” Estrada said.

Lozada’s arrest stemmed from the perjury complaint filed by Philippine National Railroad (PNR) chairman Michael Defensor alleging that the former government consultant lied in his testimony before the Court of Appeals in the petition for habeas corpus last year.

Philstar