ALL security preparations are now being finalized by the Philippine National Police to ensure the safety of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo once she is transferred to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City where she will be under the close-in protection of female police officers, PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Agrimero A. Cruz Jr. said yesterday.

Cruz said PNP chief Director General Nicanor A. Bartolome has created a PNP task force which will be composed of officers and men from the National Capital Region Police Office, the PNP Special Action Force, Quezon City Police District, the Southern Police District and the Police Security and Protection Group to provide 24-hours full security for the ex-president once she is brought to the VMMC from the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City.

Gen. Bartolome said all security protocols will be followed strictly by the police once Mrs. Arroyo has been transferred to the VMMC. Part of the protocol is the checking of the identities of all visitors of the former president.

The PSPG headed by Chief Supt. Lina C. Sarmiento will initially provide a team of policewomen who will guard Mrs. Arroyo. The female officers will be working on three shifts daily. They will be reinforced by male officers from the NCRPO, the QCPD and the PNP-SAF.

A walk-thru metal detector will be installed in the area along with a K-9 team to help detect banned items.

Cruz said that NCRPO chief Director Alan Purisima and NCRPO deputy regional director for administration will supervise the ground security in coordination with QCPD director Chief Supt. George Regis.

Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo also want the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology to help in the security measures in coordination with the PNP task force.

Robredo said the government will shoulder the cost of Mrs. Arroyo’s hospitalization at the VMMC.

The ex-president will stay in the same presidential suite where her predecessor Joseph Estrada stayed for three years while under trial for plunder. Robredo dismissed reports that the area is infested with rats although he admitted that the water problem in the hospital is yet to be addressed.

Gen. Bartolome said they will strictly prohibit cellphones, computers and other communication devices inside the suite. However, Robredo said Mrs. Arroyo can bring her own bed if her condition requires it.

Bartolome said they are also set to implement a tight visiting schedule.