Detained former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. has been moved to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) for an appendectomy, his lawyer confirmed Wednesday.

Attorney Ferdinand Topacio first announced the approval of Teves’ transfer to PGH around 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday evening. In an update past 2 a.m. on Wednesday, Topacio told reporters, “Rep. Arnolfo Teves is scheduled to go under the knife within the hour for appendectomy. He is under the care of Dr. Ancoy Lopez.”

An appendectomy is a major surgical procedure performed to remove the appendix when it becomes infected, a condition known as appendicitis.

Teves was first hospitalized on Tuesday morning after complaining of severe stomach pains. Topacio had previously stated that all trial courts where Teves has pending cases have been informed of his situation.

Teves is currently facing charges for the murder of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and several others in a 2023 attack. These cases are pending before Manila RTC Branch 51. The killing of Degamo, who was distributing aid at his home in Pamplona, occurred when six armed individuals in military fatigues opened fire on March 4, 2023. This happened months after Degamo was declared the winner of a disputed vote, unseating Henry Teves, the former lawmaker’s brother.

Arnolfo Teves was expelled from the House of Representatives after he refused to return to the Philippines to face the murder charges. He was detained in Dili last year, and although a Timorese court initially blocked his extradition, Timor-Leste abruptly deported Teves in late May, citing his continued presence as a security risk.

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