Gloria Arroyo prevented from leaving Philippines for medical treatment

[alp227]

Source: AP

The Philippine government has blocked the former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her husband from leaving the country and has said it will appeal a supreme court order allowing them to travel abroad for medical treatment.

Accompanied by her husband and son, Arroyo arrived at Manila airport in an ambulance on Tuesday and was wheeled into a departure hall wearing a face mask and a neck brace.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the former first couple, who are being investigated for alleged corruption and electoral fraud, would be treated with dignity but "we will be firm in our decision not to allow them to leave the country".

"This is all high drama. They want the public to sympathise with them," he said.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/15/philippines-gloria-arroyo-travel-ban