Philippines puts former leader Arroyo on travel watch list

MANILA, (Reuters) – The Philippines government has  placed former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on a travel  watch list to prevent her from evading investigations into  allegations of plunder and election fraud during her nine years  in office.
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has ordered the immigration  bureau to put Arroyo, who is now a lawmaker in the lower house  of Congress, on the watch list for 60 days and ensure her  participation in criminal investigations.
The Department of Justice is investigating three plunder  complaints over the misuse of public funds by Arroyo. There will  also be an inquiry into allegations that Arroyo rigged the 2004  presidential election.
Last week, Arroyo’s husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo, was put on  the watch list after he had left for Hong Kong for a medical  check-up. He returned on Monday, protesting the government’s  move because he is not facing any criminal case in court.