Protesters want Arroyo to be in regular jail

MANILA, Philippines — A handful of protesters demanded that no special treatment be accorded to former president and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who remained virtually under hospital arrest as her condition remained unstable at the St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City in Taguig.

Around 20 men, women and children popped out of two vehicles on Sunday morning carrying placards and other protest materials, and attempted to enter the hospital driveway. But police officers keeping, assisted by hospital security staff, swooped down on the protesters and hauled them off to a sidewalk in front of the medical facility.

Senior Superintendent Tomas Apolinario, the Taguig City police chief, explained to the protest group from militant organizations Bayan Muna, Samahan ng mga Ex-detainees Laban sa Detention at Arresto (Selda) and Health Alliance for Democracy that they did not have the necessary permits to carry out any mass action there.

He gave them a chance to air their gripes for over 10 minutes before the crowd peacefully dispersed.

Police arrested Mrs. Arroyo on Friday over electoral sabotage allegations in Maguindanao. She purportedly instructed then provincial Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. to ensure a “12-0” victory for the government’s senatorial slate.

Ampatuan allegedly relayed the instruction to election supervisor Lintang Bedol who changed the results in official election documents.

Arroyo has been confined at the hospital since Tuesday night after she and her husband Jose Miguel were barred from leaving by the Department of Justice for Singapore where she was to undergo a medical checkup for her debilitating condition.

The now Pampanga representative has a degenerative bone disorder as indicated by hyperparathyroidism.

On Monday, police were set to return to the Pasay court Arroyo’s warrant, while a hearing was scheduled to determine the need for a hold departure order against her.