Jolo Revilla improving, says doc; police probe still ‘ongoing’

MANILA, Philippines–Cavite Vice Gov. Jolo Revilla “continues to show improvement,” with no more fever and oxygen support reduced to an “as needed” basis, according to a Wednesday medical update from the Asian Hospital and Medical Center which the Revilla family received on Thursday.

Based on a close monitoring of Revilla’s condition, there is no indication that he has hospital-acquired pneumonia as earlier reported, the medical bulletin said.

Revilla reportedly shot himself accidentally on the chest while cleaning his gun last Saturday.

The hospital’s chief medical officer, Joven Jeremius Tanchuco, said Revilla started developing low-grade fever a day after he was admitted to the hospital, with the last episode occurring last Tuesday.

He said the fever may have likely been caused by the collapse of the right upper lobe and lower lobe of Revilla’s lungs and the resulting lung infection.

“Overall, his condition continues to improve. Chest tube output has started to clear, and he has had no more fever for the past 24 hours,” according to the medical bulletin.

Tanchuco said the vice governor can already move around the room as advised by his attending doctors to help resolve the collapse of the lobes of his lungs and prevent further complications. He also has not had any episodes of coughing blood.

Meanwhile, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Carmelo Valmoria said the police investigation into the case was “still ongoing.”

The .40 Glock pistol involved in the shooting has been turned over to Muntinlupa City Police chief Allan Nobleza, according to the family’s lawyer Raymond Fortun.

The Muntinlupa Police has also asked to conduct an ocular inspection of the Revilla residence in Ayala Alabang, where the shooting occurred, but has yet to hear from the family.

Initially, the incident was reported to be a case of attempted suicide, but Fortun denied this, claiming that Revilla had accidentally shot himself while cleaning his gun.