Media may follow Arroyo convoy to hospital but may not ride in its vehicles – PNP spokesman

MANILA, Philippines – Media practitioners may be allowed to follow the convoy that will bring former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to the Veterans’ Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) on Friday, a spokesman for the Philippine National Police said Wednesday.

But Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said that the media would not be allowed to ride in any of the vehicles in the convoy or enter the VMMC compound as the presidential suite and other areas that have been secured would be closed to the public.

Regular press briefings will be given at the hospital’s lobby.

There will be no use of wangwangs or police sirens during the transfer since “hindi naman po kailangan magwangwang…may sufficient security [during the transfer],” said Cruz.

He added that there was little possibility that the former president would be airlifted to the government-run hospital.

Meanwhile, the alleged “Put the Little Girl to Sleep” plot on Arroyo has not been confirmed because it was difficult to validate the source, Cruz said.

He said it would be faster if there was a source and additional details.