FORMER congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. was brought to an undisclosed hospital yesterday morning after complaining of severe stomach pain, his lawyer
Ferdinand Topacio said.
He declined to name the hospital for security reasons.
Later yesterday, Topacio said Teves needs to undergo a “major surgery” but declined to provide details.
He said the surgery will need his client’s transfer to a hospital with the proper surgical equipment and facilities.
“All trial courts before which Mr. Teves has pending cases have been informed of the situation by way of the most expeditious means possible,” Topacio said.
The Department of Justice has yet to comment on Teves’ hospitalization.
Degamo’s widow, Pamplona mayor and incoming Negros Oriental representative Janice Degamo, said Teves’ hospitalization is a “delaying tactic.”
She asked if Teves is receiving preferential treatment and even hinted at a “drama” in court.
“Is this the same level of treatment a regular inmate would receive in our jail system? Hospitalized for `stomach pains’? What can we expect next? Showing up in court in a wheelchair?” she said in a post on her social media account.
“We are tired of the delaying tactics, the judicial games and the drama. For more than two years Arnie Teves has used these same tired tactics to delay justice, enough is enough, NegOrenses demand accountability and justice,” she added.
Topacio said Teves has been complaining of stomach pain since Monday night in his detention cell in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig where he was transferred last week.
Teves was initially detained at a facility managed by the National Bureau of Investigation inside the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City after he was extradited from Timor Leste. But a Manila court ordered his transfer of detention last week.
He was deported to Manila by Timor-Leste on May 29.
“Our client was buckling over due to pain, and according to him, he was practically on his knees, requesting to be brought to a hospital for treatment, but BJMP personnel could not grant said request due to ‘protocol,’” Topacio said in a message to reporters.
He said Teves was given initial medical attention by BJMP personnel before he was transported to a hospital at around 7 a.m.
“He is now undergoing treatment at the emergency room. Pain has somewhat subsided due to painkillers but still quite high. Further tests are needed to determine the cause of ailment,” Topacio added.
Last week, Teves was arraigned before the Manila regional trial court on illegal possession of firearms and explosive charges and multiple murders in connection with the 2023 attack that killed then Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and nine others.
Teves is also facing another murder case before the court in Bayawan, Negros Oriental and for violation of the terrorism financing and prevention act before a court in Quezon City.
