former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo INQUIRER PHOTO/RICHARD REYES
The security force that guarded former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during her arraignment Thursday had two primary considerations—her safety and the convenience of the public.
The route taken by Arroyo’s convoy on the way to the court went through six cities—Quezon City, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Manila and Pasay.
The convoy was composed of two coasters, four patrol cars, two pickup trucks loaded with policemen in full battle gear, several motorcycle policemen armed with long firearms, and media vehicles when it left Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) at around 7:50 a.m., arriving at the Pasay City Hall compound at 8:43 a.m.
Going back to VMMC after the hearing, the convoy took the Edsa route. Like the travel to Pasay, it was nonstop until it reached the VMMC gate.
A police official, who requested anonymity because he was not allowed to talk to the media, said the security planners had two main objectives in deciding on the routes to take.
“We only consider the safety of GMA (Arroyo) and not to inconvenience the public on her way to the court,” the source said.
He added that the security men had run tests on other routes in real time and the results of the tests convinced them of the best routes to take.
“The plan was known to the former President and her staff,” the source said.
At least 500 policemen lined the Pasay-bound route.