Former Philippine President Arroyo served arrest warrant

MANILA - Philippine authorities served Thursday afternoon a warrant of arrest issued by the Sandiganbayan, the country's anti-graft court, against former president and incumbent congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, police said.

Philippine National Police Spokesman Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo Jr. said that the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group served the arrest warrant to the former president around 4:00 p.m. local time inside the state-owned Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC).

Arroyo, who has been on temporary liberty after she posted bail for an election sabotage case, was at VMMC for her physical therapy.

Cerbo said that Arroyo underwent medical and booking procedure. The former president will be secured by the police while being detained at VMMC.

The anti-graft court issued the warrant of arrest against Arroyo for a plunder case in relation to her alleged involvement on the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office fund misuse.