PRESIDENT Gloria Arroyo has ordered an investigation on the reported withdrawal last month of the security detail of former President Corazon Aquino while the latter was battling colon cancer.
Cabinet Secretary Silvestre Bello told journalists on Monday that Arroyo and the Office of the President “do not know anything of the withdrawal.”
“Although there needs to have some kind of validation because we understand some officers of PNP (Philippine National Police) clarified that they never withdrew the security personnel of President Cory Aquino,” he said.
Aquino’s youngest daughter, Kris Aquino, said in a TV interview on Sunday the family was hurt when Malacañang pulled out two of Aquino’s security escorts, whom she identified as Mel and Chris. As former president, Cory is entitled to government security escorts.
The Aquino family has rejected the Palace’s offer for a state funeral.
Bello said Malacanang “understands and respects” the decision of the Aquino family not to proceed with a state funeral.
Arroyo is cutting short her working visit to the United States following the death of Aquino last Saturday. She has declared Wednesday, the day of Aquino’s burial, a special nonworking holiday.