Ex-Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to be arraigned today, security tight

Police tightened security at a Pasay court and a Quezon City hospital early Thursday for the arraignment of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on electoral sabotage charges.

 

In Pasay City, police delineated areas for media and for pro- and anti-Arroyo groups near the Pasay court where Arroyo was to be arraigned, radio dzBB reported.

 

But city police chief Senior Superintendent Melchor Reyes assured residents who wish to conduct transactions with City Hall that it would still be business as usual.

 

"Normal pa rin transaction sa City Hall, no change. We consider this a regular day," he said.

 

A separate report by dzBB's Sam Nielsen said media representatives were not allowed to get to the sala at the third floor of the Pasay City Hall of Justice at the City Hall compound where the arraignment was to take place. An earlier report also said Pasay City Judge Jesus Mupas has spent Wednesday night at the Regional Trial Court in time for the arraignment on Thursday.

 

The report said the Metro Manila police allowed some media representatives to cover the event, although other representatives were restricted to an area near City Hall.

 

In Quezon City, at around 7 a.m., two mini-buses entered the Veterans Memorial Medical Center where Arroyo has been detained since Dec. 9, dzBB's Allan Gatus reported.

 

Pro-Arroyo groups in early show of force

 

Meanwhile, groups supporting Arroyo made an early show of force in Pasay City Thursday morning.

 

Pro-Arroyo groups arrived aboard jeeps and buses at the Pasay City Astrodome, radio dzBB's Rodil Vega reported.

 

The supporters wore T-shirts with the message, "Katarungan para kay PGMA (Justice for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo)." –KG, GMA News