MANILA, Philippines– Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr., the detained former representative of Negros Oriental’s 3rd District, is recovering following an appendectomy performed at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) on Wednesday.
His lawyer, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, confirmed the successful completion of the surgery and stated that Teves is recuperating well.
Teves’s hospitalization necessitated medical attention under the custody of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), which recently faced criticism regarding handling medical emergencies for inmates.
The Philippine General Hospital facilitated the necessary healthcare services for Teves. The appendectomy was deemed necessary due to an acute medical condition.
PGH medical personnel carried out the procedure early Wednesday morning. The BJMP maintained custody and coordinated with hospital authorities to ensure security and compliance with medical protocols.
Topacio said that Teves is receiving post-operative care and that his condition is being monitored by healthcare professionals.
The BJMP stated that it continues to provide appropriate medical attention to persons in custody and coordinates with healthcare institutions as needed.
In March 2023, Teves was implicated in the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and nine others.
The Anti-Terrorism Council designated him and several associates as “terrorist individuals” in August 2023. The House of Representatives expelled Teves on August 16, 2023, marking the first expulsion of a congressman since the establishment of the Fifth Republic in 1986.
Teves fled the Philippines and was arrested in Dili, East Timor, in March 2024. He was deported back to the Philippines in May 2025 and is currently facing multiple murder charges related to the 2023 killings.
