Doctors: Honasan needs time to recover

By AMITA LEGASPI, GMANews.TV Injuries sustained by former senator Gregorio Honasan during his recent escape try requires more time for medical treatment at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Muntinlupa City, government doctors said Thursday. Orthopedic surgeon Francisco Altarejos, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) General Hospital, said the 58-year-old Honasan was now in better condition after being treated for feet wounds and a bone fracture, but noted that the former senator needed continued medical attention. "As of this morning, Senator Honasan is in stable condition. However, we need to closely monitor the wound in the right foot and the severe swelling in the left foot," Altarejos said in a medical bulletin. He added that, "We plan to clean the wound tomorrow at 11 a.m. at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center." No definite date has been set for Honasan's discharge from the Asian Hospital. Altarejos said that, ideally, Honasan should stay at the hospital for 10 more days to ensure the stability of his condition. "We will decide as the days go by. Everyday I have to monitor his condition. We will decide accordingly," he said. The wound on Honasan's right foot is expected to heal in seven to 10 days, while the swelling on his left foot caused by the fracture should subside in 10 to 14 days. Altarejos said the fracture will heal in about two to three months. Doctors have also been giving the former senator antibiotics to prevent infection. Honasan was arrested before dawn Wednesday by police and military intelligence agents in Greenmeadows Subdivision, Quezon City. In its statement after the arrest, the PNP said Honasan jumped over several fences "from one house to another." Altarejos said that, "the left foot is severely swollen and need mobilization. The right foot sustained a deep lacerated wound five centimeters in length which I operated at the PNP General Hospital yesterday (Wednesday) at 8 a.m." Honasan underwent a minor surgery, which called for "emergency debrisment, irrigation and removal of sutures [on the] right foot." Altarejos reported to the PNP Health Service that Honasan was administered spinal anesthesia for the operation. Amid tight security and upon doctors' recommendations, Honasan was eventually transfered to the Muntinlupa hospital. "Upon arrival at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center, 3D scan of the left foot was done. Repeat X-ray of both feet were also done," Altarejos said. Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno on Wednesday said Honasan was unable to move his neck. He described the former senator as "lucid and very animated" during their 30-minute discussion that day. The PNP was holding a press conference on Honasan's medical condition as of posting time. Radio station dzXL reported that security was "extra tight" at the Asian Hospital. Members of the Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) searched all visitors going in and out of the hospital. Honasan is currently confined at room 1029 at the hospital's 10th floor.-GMANews.TV