NBI: All in place for Atong Ang return

On the eve of former presidential buddy Charlie "Atong" Ang's extradition to the Philippines, the National Bureau of Investigation finalized security and processing preparations for him. NBI director Nestor Mantaring said agents have been stationed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), ready to take Ang to the NBI headquarters in Manila for booking when he arrives early Friday. "Security preparations at the NAIA are in place. We consider the preparations satisfactory. The preparations include bringing Ang from the NAIA to the NBI office in Manila for processing, before we present him to the Sandiganbayan, which ordered his arrest," Mantaring said in an interview on dzRH radio Thursday morning. Ang is a facing plunder charges before the antigraft court. He said security precautions have also been taken against "threats" supposedly made to Ang, as claimed last weekend by Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez. Gonzalez claimed a certain "Zubia" had been calling up Ang and threatening him. "We haven't had a chance to talk to Ang yet. But Gonzalez claims such threats were made, so we are taking precautions," Mantaring said, when asked if the NBI had verified Gonzalez's claims. Mantaring said NBI representatives are now in Los Angeles waiting for US marshals to turn Ang over to them late Thursday afternoon (Manila time). US marshals were to bring Ang from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. The NBI delegation includes Interpol unit chief Claro de Castro Jr and Special Task Force chief Reynaldo Esmeralda. After the turnover, Ang and the NBI agents are due to arrive in Manila about 5 a.m. Friday, Mantaring said. "Upon their arrival at the airport, the NBI agents are to bring Ang to the NBI headquarters for processing. The standard operating procedure includes photographing, fingerprinting, and booking Ang, then preparing the arrest report. Then he will be turned over to the Sandiganbayan," Mantaring said. Mantaring also said Ang's family will be left behind in Las Vegas and will not be accompanying him to the Philippines. "His family will be left behind in the US. It's only Atong who'll be coming home," he said. - GMANews.TV