Philippine President Arroyo suffers diarrhea, still under treatment

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo suffered acute diarrhea, which caused a stomachache, and was sent to a medical center Thursday night.

The president will remain in the hospital until Saturday, a doctor in charge of the treatment said on Friday.

Dr. Julieta Cervantes of the Saint Luke's Medical Center, where the President is hospitalized, said that Arroyo suffered acute diarrhea and she will remain in hospital for one more day.

Cervantes issued the President's medical bulletin on Friday morning, saying that Arroyo had mild dehydration. The President has been cured but she will need a rest to fully recover, Cervantes added.

Earlier Friday the President's husband Jose Miguel Arroyo said that the Chief Executive is in safe condition.

The President was rushed to the hospital at 9:30 p.m. Thursday after complaining of abdominal pain. Doctors said that she likely had simply eaten something that disagreed with her.

Presidential Chief of Staff Michael Defensor said the President still planned to make a scheduled trip to the Vatican, Italy and Spain, set to begin on Saturday, but that it could be delayed by a day due to her illness.

Security in and around the hospital was tight. After the President was rushed to hospital, the Metro Manila police went on a full alert at 10:30 p.m. Thursday.

Director Vidal Querol, the capital police chief, said the full alert status was a standard procedure of the police. He said once the President is discharged from the hospital, the alert level will be lowered.

Source: Xinhua