Arnie Teves 'recuperating well' following appendectomy — Topacio

Former Negros Oriental representative Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. is recovering well following a successful surgical operation at Philippine General Hospital, his legal counsel said Wednesday.

In a statement, Topacio said Teves’ medical incident must become a “wake-up call” on the shortcomings of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) regarding response to medical emergencies.

“If it took several hours for a high-profile prisoner such as Representative Teves to be given medical attention, we shudder at how the BJMP will treat ordinary detainees. It also show[s] how a detained person—who, after all, is presumed innocent—is deprived of his right to seek his own choice of treatment and medical professionals to attend to him, by illogical and archaic rules biased against private hospitals,” he said.

Topacio also noted that the incident showed the “potentially fatal” results of trial courts not abiding by directives of the Supreme Court on issuance of commitment orders, and the “folly” of those involved in celebrated cases making public statements without “knowing all the facts.”

“The operation performed on Mr. Teves proves that, far from being ‘drama’, the complaint of a medical condition was legitimate. It was only the persistent and untiring efforts of Mr. Teves' family and close friends, assisted by us, their lawyers, that saved Mr. Teves' life,” he added.

The lawyer also thanked the team behind Teves’ operation, stating that they were able to address a potentially life-threatening condition.

Teves was rushed to the hospital on Tuesday morning following severe stomach pains since midnight.

He was reportedly provided medical attention at 5 a.m. and was only rushed to the hospital by 7 a.m., by which pain “has become aggravated.”

Teves was transferred to another hospital for an appendectomy later on Tuesday.

''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.

GMA News Online has sought a comment from the BJMP and will update this article soon as they reply.

Teves is currently facing murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder charges for the alleged killing of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo and 10 others in 2023, among others.

He is also facing charges for illegal possession of firearms and explosives, and had been named a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council for alleged killings and harassment in Negros Oriental.

DOJ

In a statement on Wednesday, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Teves will be returned to detention immediately after recovering from his surgery.

Remulla assured that while Teves will be allowed to recover under medical supervision, he will only be confined based on his doctor’s recommendation.

“Sinisigurado kong hindi siya makakatakas sa hustisya at hindi rin siya makakatakas kung sabihin niyang anumang excuses… Sisiguraduhin namin na ibabalik kaagad siya kung saan siya dapat nakakulong,” the Justice Secretary said.

(I will make sure that Teves cannot flee from justice and that he cannot escape despite whatever excuses he makes… We will make sure he is returned immediately to where he should be detained.) — RSJ/RF, GMA Integrated News