Military ready to back police in securing Arroyo’s hospital transfer

MANILA, Philippines – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is ready to support the Philippine National Police (PNP) in providing security for former president and now Pampanga representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, a military spokesman said Wednesday.

Colonel Arnulfo Burgos said that it was the directive of the AFP chief of staff General Eduardo Oban to prepare in case the PNP would request for security augmentation at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC).

Arroyo is set to be transferred to the VMMC along North Avenue, Quezon City from St. Lukes Hospital, Taguig within the week.

“Right now, there are no requests for assistance; we think the PNP can handle the situation. If we monitor any [threat], we will not wait for a request to provide security augmentation,” Burgos said in a press briefing.

Burgos also said that the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) has not received any reports of threats to the life of Arroyo.

“We continuously monitor [for threats] and we are in touch with our intelligence informants in the field,” Burgos said.

The Arroyo camp previously announced a plot to kill Arroyo but refused to divulge the details of “Put the little girl to sleep.”

Burgos also dispelled rumors that there was unrest within the ranks of the AFP.

“The chain of command remains strong and everybody strictly adheres to the chain of command, [the] state of troops morale and discipline remains high,” Burgos said.