Arroyo’s visitors to go through 4 security points at VMMC

MANILA,Philippines — All of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s visitors will go through strict security checks before meeting her once she has been transferred to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC), Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Director General Nicanor Bartolome said on Monday.

Speaking to reporters at the PNP General Hospital in Camp Crame, Bartolome said that the security measures will apply to all of Arroyo’s visitors, including her immediate family.

In the first control point, visitors will undergo an initial inspection before proceeding to the holding area.

The former president’s guests will be asked to wait at the holding area pending clearance to meet with Arroyo, he said.

Once cleared, visitors will be assisted to the processing area to file necessary documents and surrender prohibited items to authorities.

Bartolome said that visitors will then pass through a security machine situated at the fourth control point but revealed that the area was still far from the former president’s suite.

“Pero outside pa itong gate [this is still outside the gate],” Bartolome said.

Visiting hours that will be implemented once Arroyo is confined at the VMMC were still being discussed, the PNP chief added.

Bartolome said that the PNP has prepared a security plan for moving the former president to the VMMC despite changes to the date of the transfer.

The Pasay regional trial court Branch 112 on Monday granted Arroyo until Friday to be taken to the government-owned hospital.