Benaldo in ‘good condition’ and ‘able to converse’—Belmonte
MANILA, Philippines — Cagayan de Oro City Representative Benjo Benaldo was in “good condition” and was “able to converse” despite suffering a gunshot wound to the chest, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said.
In a phone interview with INQUIRER.net, the House leader said that Benaldo, who was bloodied when found by his staff inside his office at the House of Representatives Thursday night, was able to converse with fellow lawmakers at the New Era General Hospital.
He said that Benaldo has been transferred to St. Luke’s Medical Center for further treatment.
Aside from Belmonte, Marikina Representative Romero Quimbo was also at the hospital to check on Benaldo’s condition.
The outgoing Cagayan de Oro lawmaker was preparing to move out of his office when his staff heard a gunshot and found him wounded inside, said Belmonte.
Article continues after this advertisementBenaldo has been in the limelight in the past few weeks due to marital problems with his wife Brazilian model and actress Daiana Menezes.
If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please reach out to the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH). Their crisis hotlines are available at 1553 (Luzon-wide landline toll-free), 0917-899-USAP (8727), 0966-351-4518, and 0908-639-2672. For more information, visit their website: (https://doh.gov.ph/NCMH-Crisis-Hotline)
Alternatively, you can contact Hopeline PH at the following numbers: 0917-5584673, 0918-8734673, 88044673. Additional resources are available at ngf-mindstrong.org, or connect with them on Facebook at Hopeline PH.