The Philippine Online Chronicles

After a nine-hour delay and a seven vehicle convoy during former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s transfer to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) last Friday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said they are ready to secure the Pampanga representative’s route to court for her electoral sabotage case.

PNP Chief Deputy Director General Nicanor Bartolome said they have already planned the security measures needed to secure Arroyo on her way to the Pasay City Regional Trial Court where her case is lodged.

“Just like any case, we will be preparing for the worst case scenario. She's a high-profile personality and therefore, our preparations are always anchored on the worst case (scenarios),” Bartolome said.

“All the necessary security arrangements will be done whenever we are given an order by the court to transfer the former president from the Veterans hospital to whichever court that will hear her case,” he added.

Bartolome said Arroyo is “supposedly” not allowed to choose the type of vehicle to be used during the transfer.

“We will consider any request, but of course, it has to be properly allowed by authorities. But the PNP will have to consider other circumstances that may necessitate the use of more modern vehicles that can give her better protection and security,” he said.

Last Friday, Arroyo was accompanied by around 300 policemen as she left St. Luke’s Medical Center for her transfer to VMMC. Anti-riot police and K-9 and bomb teams were dispatched as part of the security team while pro- and anti-Arroyo groups held rallies in from of the hospital.

Arroyo’s spokesperson Elena Bautista-Horn said Arroyo got stressed after the PNP suggested that Arroyo be airlifted to VMMC, adding that the plan was not discussed earlier.

Horn said their meetings with Chief Superintendent Miguel Laurel involved convoys only.

“It’s not true that Laurel went to St. Luke’s to tell us about the air transfer. He only showed up when the Pasay sheriff arrived to fix things,” Horn said.

On the other hand, Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo texted media saying, “Horn continues to lie! That is what you do when you are caught with your pants down: Divert attention from the lies you peddled.”

“You decide on who’s telling the truth between the two of us,” Horn retorted.

The Arroyo refused to use helicopters because of the bad weather.

“If a chopper would be used, I would have checked the instrument rating of the chopper. Kasi siguro napahiya sila na wala kaming alam sa ganung arrangements,” Horn said, explaining that Arroyo had near death experiences before with helicopters.

Meanwhile, Malacanang said they won’t be asking for an apology regarding Horn’s statement.

“It’s to her own detriment if she keeps doing this,” said deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte.

Philippine Star also reported that Arroyo’s husband Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo spent the night at the VMMC on Friday. A source said the former first gentleman was left behind at the presidential suite after their children and lawyers left.

But Valte said the Arroyos have to secure clearance from the PNP for such visits.

“From what I understand, they are supposed to give a list of visitors in advance before the actual visit happens. They will just have to coordinate with the PNP on how that is to be done,” Valte said.