No handcuffs for Arroyo during transfer—Robredo, police

MANILA, Philippines — Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will not be handcuffed when she is transferred by authorities to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) on Friday, officials said on Thursday.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo said that he personally thought Arroyo would not be handcuffed for the transfer, a statement supported by National Capital Region Police Office spokesperson Senior Superintendent Dionardo Carlos.

Carlos said over a phone interview that “there is no need to handcuff the former president considering her current (medical) situation.”

Authorities however, remained mum on whether Arroyo would be transferred to the government-owned hospital via land or air transport on Friday.

Robredo however commented that there have been enough preparations for both modes of transport, further stating that authorities have thought through and finalized their security preparations to safely move Arroyo from St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City.

The police are likewise prepared for both modes of transport, Robredo explained, as they considered possible actions by both pro and anti-Arroyo groups once she is travelling.

“They had to consider what other modes of transport could be used,” said the DILG secretary.

Carlos said that every detail of their security plan has been ironed out during a short meeting Thursday morning with the concerned police units.

Arroyo has been under hospital arrest since November 18, for charges of electoral sabotage.