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Saturday, June 24, 2006
Arroyo Davao trip cancelled due to threat: report
By Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO CITY -- Aside from abdominal pains, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo allegedly cancelled her scheduled trip to the Davao region Friday due to reports that the New People's Army will stage bombings during her arrival.
The Philippine Information Agency informed the Davao media of the cancellation around 10 p.m. Thursday night, shortly after Arroyo was rushed to St. Luke's Medical Center in Manila around 9:30 p.m. due to abdominal pains.
But four hours earlier, text messages about planned NPA bombings in Nabunturan and Monkayo, Compostela Valley and in Tagum City in time for the president's supposed visit Friday circulated.
"For info, Ka Franklin and Ka Jade of Front Committee 20, Godofredo Paking Guimbaolibot Brigade with elements from Kommid will conduct bombings in Nabunturan, Compostela, Monkayo and Tagum tomorrow (Friday) in line with President Arroyo's visit," read the text message.
Though official reason of the cancellation was her being sick, unconfirmed reports showed that even before, the Presidential Security Group was already against Arroyo pushing through with her visit to Compostela and Mati due to security threats.
The President was supposed to visit the inauguration of Representative Manuel "Way Kurat" Zamora's tissue culture laboratory in the municipality of Compostela, Compostela Valley as well as grace the Davao Business Conference in Mati, Davao Oriental Friday.
She was also scheduled to have a meeting with the Regional Development Council at the Marco Polo Hotel on that same day before flying back to Manila in the evening.
Arroyo was rushed to the St. Luke's Medical Center in Quezon City after she complained of upset stomach and abdominal pains at 9:30 p.m. Thursday while at a restaurant with relatives.
An attending physician, however, said there was nothing serious about the President's condition and that everything is okay.
Arroyo's chief of staff Mike Defensor said Arroyo was being kept overnight as a precaution while she undergoes routine checks.
The decision to proceed with her scheduled trip on Saturday to Italy, the Vatican, and Spain will be made later, he added.
Results of test conducted on Arroyo showed she suffered from acute diarrhea due to viral infection and was given fluids to recover. Doctors said she will stay a "little longer" in the hospital.
"With that problem of diarrhea and vomiting...we decided to hydrate her," said Dr. Juliet Cervantes, a gastroenterologist.
"Our diagnosis is acute infectious diarrhea, probably secondary to a viral infection that had already been resolved. Presently the patient is comfortable."
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said in a press conference outside the hospital that while the doctors had already given the go-signal for the President to go home Friday, the Arroyo family decided that the President stay a day more in the hospital so she can have complete rest.
Duque said the viral infection could have been caused by work-related stress and not because of the food that she ate. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
(June 24, 2006 issue)
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