MANILA, 1 November 2003 — Former President Joseph Estrada could suffer the same fate as “Superman” actor Christopher Reeve if he doesn’t have knee surgery soon, one of his doctors said yesterday.

Dr. Antonio Calanoc of the Asian Hospital and Medical Center in suburban Muntinlupa said Estrada is suffering from multiple slipped discs that could deteriorate if his knee condition does not improve. He said the discs were pressing against Estrada’s spinal cord, causing back pain.

Calanog said the worst scenario is a paralysis similar to what befell Reeve, who became paralyzed from the neck down after falling from a horse.

Estrada, on trial for alleged economic plunder, was flown back to his army camp detention house in yesterday, ending a five-day furlough to visit his ailing mother and get a medical check up.

“If the president’s knees do not get well, he will continue to have a hard time walking and this will affect his back,” Calanoc told reporters.

“It is not life threatening, yes, but the situation is very serious,” he said before police flew Estrada by helicopter to Camp Capinp in Tanay town, 50 kilometers (30 miles) east of Manila.

Estrada, who is suffering from severe osteoarthritis, has sought permission from the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court to travel to the United States for a knee replacement. The court has denied his request, saying the operation could be performed in the Philippines.

Doctors say Estrada also is suffering from torn ligaments in both knees, arthritis in the pelvic region and a cataract and a cyst in his left eye.

Estrada was ousted as president in January 2001 amid widespread protests over his alleged corruption and misrule, and replaced by then Vice President Gloria Arroyo.

He has denied any wrongdoing and accused Arroyo and others who opposed his rule of fabricating charges to force him from power.

Estrada is still at the center of political and security concerns. Some of his closest associates and family were linked to a failed coup in July but have denied any role in it.

Earlier this month, police moved Estrada from a military hospital detention suite in the capital to the army camp, citing intelligence reports that a group seeking to destabilize Arroyo’s administration planned to spring Estrada.

Arroyo did not object to his brief release, prompting some to suggest that she was getting soft on the former president. But Arroyo yesterday said she was acting only in “compassion and respect” toward her predecessor.

“Within the bounds set forth by the court, we are exercising utmost compassion and respect for the dignity of the former president,” Arroyo said in a statement. “This is simply a matter of humane consideration.”

Arroyo has also earlier hinted that Estrada could be allowed to fly to the United States to undergo knee surgery.

But yesterday she denied that these were part of a concession to gain the support of Estrada’s loyal followers, which could help her candidacy in next year’s elections.

“There are absolutely no political deals involved, and the supremacy of justice is unsullied,” said Arroyo, who had earlier declared her desire to be recognized as president by those who mounted the so-called “Edsa Tres.”

Estrada spokesman Crispin Remulla also denied speculation that the Palace had initiated reconciliation efforts. But he said there were government moves to “keep (Estrada) healthy.” At the same time, Remulla raised fears that given the possibility that Estrada would be allowed to leave for the United States, the government could block his return to the country during the elections.

Remulla warned of dire occurrences should Estrada’s condition worsen: “This government will suffer more if something happens to the president.”

He said Estrada is willing to risk paralysis from the waist down rather than undergo a knee operation here.