The Philippines National Police filed a motion to transfer deposed President Joseph Estrada and his son and co-defendant to another jail in southern Luzon's Sta. Rosa Laguna, about 70 kilometres south of Manila.

National police chief Leandro Mendoza said it was a prison specially built for Estrada at Fort Santo Domingo, a police special force training camp. "For security considerations, our facilities there are even better for the health of our former president," said Jail Chief Superintendent Thompson Lantion. "As he is in his advanced years, we must look after his health and his well-being," he added.

Citing his reasons, Mendoza said Camp Crame, where Estrada currently is being held, is near the Estrada residence in San Juan and too accessible to crowds of Estrada's supporters who could cause disturbances. The crowds could also affect traffic flow, said Mendoza. He also complained of a lack of personnel to handle Estrada's incarceration.

Meanwhile, the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court turned down the plea from Estrada's lawyers that he should stay at home for his security and his dignity, but ordered his lawyers to submit written arguments by May 2.

At the same time, Estrada's lawyer, Raymond Fortun, reiterated a request to have Estrada placed under house arrest because of the presence of Abu Sayyaf and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front members who are also jailed in the same camp.

Drug dealers are also some of Estrada's new neighbours, according to Fortun. "We are concerned that under this administration, there might be efforts to kill our client while in detention," Fortun said, adding that Estrada is "entitled to some degree of consideration". "House arrest is not allowed," said Justice Secretary, Hernando Perez who was in favour of transferring Estrada to a bigger cell in southern Luzon.

"Estrada still maintains a sizeable following who could cause unnecessary disruption of the day-to-day business," said Perez, following reports that former First lady Loi had to order food from a caterer to feed a long queue of visitors on his second day in prison. Presiding justice Francis Garchitorena said no bail petitions would be entertained until after arraignment, which has yet to be set.