Former Philippine president Arroyo arrested

MANILA. November 19. KAZINFORM Former Philippine president and now congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was arrested on Friday evening on the charge of election sabotage; Kazinform refers to China Daily.

Senior superintendent of the Southern Police District James Bucayo said the arrest warrant was served to Arroyo in her room at St. Luke's Medical Center in Taguig City, Metro Manila, where she has been under the police custody.

"When we served the warrant of arrest, she (Arroyo) just came from a sleep," Bucayo told reporters, adding the former president apparently expected the warrant of arrest.

Bucayo said Arroyo's formal booking, such as finger printing, will be conducted in the hospital on Saturday.

Pasay City Regional Trial Court Branch 112 Judge Jesus Mupas issued warrant of arrest against Arroyo, former Maguindano Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. and former election supervisor Lintang Bedol for alleged electoral sabotage in 2007 national elections.

The Commission on Elections filed the formal complaint before the court Friday morning and the warrant of arrest was issued several hours later.

With the arrest warrant, Arroyo, who planned to go abroad for medical treatment, could no longer leave the country; Kazinform cites China Daily.

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