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Arroyo camp won't seek additional security from govt — spokesperson


Despite a supposed plot to kill former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the camp of the former Philippine leader is not likely to request any additional security from the government.   In a radio interview Thursday, Mrs. Arroyo's spokesperson Elena Bautista-Horn indicated that they do not intend to ask the government for such arrangement.
 
"Kung hihingi kami ng dagdag security, sa administrasyon din manggagaling. Kaya kami ay umaapela sa ating mga mamamayan [na] pagsama-samahan nating bantayan para di matuloy [ang] ganitong klaseng balakin," Bautista-Horn said in an interview on dwIZ radio.
 
At the same time, Bautista-Horn insisted that the so-called kill plot dubbed "Put the Little Girl to Sleep" is no gimmick to gain sympathy for Mrs. Arroyo, who currently represents Pampanga's second district in the House of Representatives.
 
Bautista-Horn had claimed that the information came from an Aquino administration official, who relayed the same to a former member of Mrs. Arroyo's Cabinet. Insisting on the existence of the plot, Bautista-Horn even criticized Malacañang for summarily dismissing the supposed kill Arroyo plot. "Mas ma-appreciate namin kung sabihin man lang nila paiimbestigahan ang report na ito. Walang effort to even investigate," she told dwIZ radio.    Reports have it that Budget Secretary Florencio was quoted as saying that after Bautista-Horn made the claim, he advised Mrs. Arroyo's spokesperson to see a psychiatrist. To which, Bautista-Horn said: "Okay ako doon, samahan ako ni Sec. Abad at Pangulong Aquino. Sabay-sabay kami lahat magpatingin para matingnan kung sino [ang] may diprensya sa amin." No added security   
Meanwhile, the Southern Police District has not beefed up security for Mrs. Arroyo at the St. Luke's Medical Center in Taguig City as of early Thursday, radio dzBB's Denver Trinidad reported.
 
As of 7 a.m., Trinidad reported that only one police vehicle was assigned to the hospital where Mrs. Arroyo has been staying since Nov. 15.
 
Mrs. Arroyo was placed under police custody November 18 on charges of electoral sabotage. Electoral sabotage, when evidence is strong, is a non-bailable offense. 
 
Last week, the camp of Mrs. Arroyo asked the court handling her case that the former Philippine leader be placed under house arrest. The prosecution, meanwhile, opposed such move. — RSJ, GMA News  
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