Philippine First Gentleman conditions stable
22/11/2008 12:05
PHILIPPINE president's husband is already out of critical conditions after
he experienced stomach cramps last night on board the presidential charter
flight and forced the plane to make an emergency stop-over in Japan, Philippine
media reported today.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Mr. Arroyo
had "intense stomach pain", when he was flying with President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo and top government officials to Peru for the APEC leader's
meeting.
According to local news network ABS-CBN News, Ermita said he
learned at around 1:30 am Saturday that Mr. Arroyo was already "out of danger"
after assessment of doctors in Japan.
Ermita said the illness was not
due to the First Gentleman's heart operation in 2007, as reported by local media
Friday night in their initial stories upon learning that Mr. Arroyo felt sick at
mid-flight.
A government statement released at predawn Saturday and
relayed by local media said Mr. Arroyo suffered from "stomach cramps and back
pains."
It said doctors on board the chartered plane decided on an
emergency landing because Mr. Arroyo exhibited the same symptoms as before he
underwent heart surgery in 2007.
Mr. Arroyo's cardiologist, Dr. Antonio
Sibulo told local TV channel ANC that though in stable condition Mr. Arroyo is
clearly at risk for the next five years. "The possibility (of recurrence of
heart attack) is still very high," he said.
Reports said President
Arroyo still will attend the APEC meeting in Lima, Peru this weekend.
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