MANILA, Philippines - Lawyers of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo are crying foul over the additional restrictions placed on her, including disallowing her husband Mike to sleep with her at night.
A source from Arroyo’s camp said the Police Security and Protection Group under Chief Superintendent Roman Felix had imposed the restrictions.
Other constraints on Arroyo at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City are limiting her time for sunlight to only an hour a day, barring her from walking to the chapel to attend Mass unless authorized by the courts, and restricting visits.
The source said Arroyo was allowed to attend Mass only if officiated in her hospital suite and only in the mornings.
“Why are they treating her like an ordinary detainee when she is in fact a seriously ill patient?†the source said.
“A patient needs the comfort and support of her family and loved ones to be able to recover. She’s unhappy and depressed.â€
The source said Arroyo’s doctors at the VMMC have repeatedly warned that her continued detention at the hospital is not helping her.
Arroyo is afflicted with a degenerative bone disease in her neck bones.
Limiting her time under the sun would also slow her healing as the doctors have prescribed that she gets sunlight for at least two hours in the morning and another two hours in the afternoon.
The source said Arroyo’s lawyers will be contesting the new rule with the Philippine National Police and question it before the courts.
Police justified the limiting of conjugal visits as they could not be responsible for anything that could happen to Mike Arroyo if he stays overnight.
“Mr. Arroyo is willing to sign a waiver, but they still barred him from staying with his wife,†the source said.