MANILA, Philippines – After much discussion with the police, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo finally arrived at the Veterans’ Memorial Medical Center Friday, despite the heavy rains in the metropolis.
The seven-vehicle convoy which transported Arroyo left St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City at around 3 p.m. and arrived at the VMMC at 4:15 p.m.
The former president was aboard a white coaster (XCW-641) and was escorted by security personnel straight to the presidential suite of the government-owned hospital and away from prying eyes of the media as well as the public.
Police have beefed up security around the premises, setting up tents as security bases near the facility.
Elena Bautista-Horn, the former president’s spokesperson, revealed the police’s plan of airlifting Arroyo, something which the Arroyo camp did not agree to due to bad weather.
Police have remained mum on the time and mode of Arroyo’s transfer, even sending a decoy convoy to the VMMC at past 10 a.m. when the former president was in fact, still cooped up in her suite at St. Luke’s.
Arroyo has been under hospital arrest at the St. Luke’s Medical Center since the warrant for her capture was served by authorities last November 18 for charges of electoral sabotage.
Pasay regional trial court Branch 112 Judge Jesus Mupas on December 1 ordered Arroyo to be transferred to the VMMC.
Originally posted at 04:13 pm | Friday, Dec. 19, 2011