Upper lobe of Benaldo’s left lung removed

MANILA, Philippines - The upper lobe of the left lung of outgoing Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Benjamin Benaldo was removed in a medical procedure after he sustained a gunshot wound on his chest, St. Luke’s Medical Center said in a medical bulletin released yesterday.

Attending physician Jose Oreta said Benaldo sustained a gunshot wound at the left side of his chest, with the bullet injuring the upper lobe of the left lung and several blood vessels.

“Chest exploration, control of bleeders and left upper lobectomy (removing the upper lobe of the left lung) were done,” Oreta said.

“Patient is now out of danger and in stable condition,” he added.

No one from the administration of St. Luke’s Medical Center granted an interview to reporters stationed at the lobby of the medical facility.

The office of the congressman has also yet to issue a statement on the incident.

Benaldo was rushed to the New Era General Hospital after his staff discovered him bloodied Thursday night inside his office at the South Wing of the Batasan Complex. His staff heard a gunshot emanating from within the office of the congressman.

Benaldo was transferred to the St. Luke’s Medical Center Thursday night after House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. announced that the outgoing solon is in stable condition.

Belmonte said in a statement Friday that the gunshot wound on Benaldo’s chest “now indicate (that) he attempted to take his own life.”

“I hope that we all respect the privacy of the family at this time and avoid any other speculations. Benjo has not disclosed his reasons for what happened and may do so at the right time,” Belmonte added. – With Paolo Romero, Evelyn Macairan, Reinir Padua