PNP chief: Security plan for Arroyo arraignment in place

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police Chief Nicanor Bartolome said Wednesday that the security plan in the transfer of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo from a hospital in Quezon City to a court in Pasay City for her arraignment was in place.

Philippine National Police Chief Nicanor Bartolome. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Speaking to reporters in a Road Safety forum at Camp Crame in Quezon City, Bartolome said that Task Force Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (TFFPGMA), the same task force used in 2011 when she was moved to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center, would be used again Wednesday when she would be brought to the Pasay regional trial court for her arraingment on the electoral sabotage case filed against her by the Commission on Elections.

He said that National Capital Region Police Office chief, Director Alan Purisima, would head the TFFPGMA, while Police Security Protection Group director, Chief Superintendent Lina Sarmiento, would be in charge of the deployment of police security officers.

While Bartolome didn’t reveal the exact number of policemen to be deployed, as well as the mode of transportation to be used, he said that “there will be a sufficient number” who would ensure the safe travel of the former president.