Task force formed for Arroyo’s transfer to Veterans’ hospital by Dec. 6

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police created a task force that would ensure the safety of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo when she transfers to the Veterans’ Memorial Medical Center next week, a spokesman said Friday.

Task Force Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (TFFPGMA) will be activated on Tuesday, December 6, when Arroyo is expected to move to the government-run hospital from St. Luke’s Medical Center on Taguig City where she has been confined for a bone disease, Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said Friday.

Speaking to reporters at the Camp Crame headquarters, Cruz said that while the exact number of officers to be deployed at the VMMC could not be divulged to media for security reasons, he assured that “there will be sufficient number of officers” who would maintain security inside and outside the hospital.

“Surveys and inspection will be conducted and additional security measures such as k-9, the walkthrough security panel, sufficient layers of security including policewomen at the hospital will be maintained,” he said.

He said that officers would have three shifts per day.

Cruz also said that apart from a nurse and an aid who will stay with the former president inside her room all day, visitors will only be allowed to enter from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

“This is, however, not yet the final schedule because we still need to discuss on this further,” he added in Filipino.

Communication devices such as cellphones and laptops will not be allowed inside Arroyo’s room as per court order of Judge Jesus Mupas of Pasay City Regional Trial Court Branch 112. Visitors should first surrender all of their gadgets before entering, he said.

Meanwhile, VMMC director, Dr. Nona Legaspi, said that while the Arroyo camp still had some other requests that they were still considering, “the presidential suite is ready,” she said.

She also said that the VMMC has its own medical team for the former president. But if the Arroyos would want to have their own, Legaspi said, “She can bring [them] in according to the pronouncements of the court.”

Legaspi assured the Arroyo camp, however, that they have all the necessary equipment the former president may need.

Arroyo is facing charges of electoral sabotage for her alleged participation in fraud in the 2007 elections. The Pasay City regional trial court Branch 112 has allowed Arroyo to stay in the hospital for treatment of her various illnesses.