MANILA, Philippines—Cagayan de Oro City Representative Benjo Benaldo was found bloodied inside the House of Representatives, according to a Radyo Inquirer 990 AM report.
The report said blue guards in Congress found Benaldo slumped and bloodied inside his office with a gunshot wound on his chest.
The report said Benaldo has been rushed to the New Era General Hospital along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, which is about three kilometers away from the House of Representatives between 7 p.m and 8 p.m., after he was found bloodied and wounded on his chest from a gunshot.
The report said that House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte has gone to the hospital to check on Benaldo’s condition.
Benaldo has been in the limelight in the past few weeks due to marital problems with his wife Brazilian model and actress.
Speaking with radio dzMM, House Speaker Rep. Sonny Belmonte said Benaldo was alone inside his office when the gunshot was heard.
Benaldo was found by his staff sitting, with a 9-millimeter pistol on his table.
Benaldo, a first-term congressman, ran for reelection in the May 13 elections but lost to Liberal Party bet Rolando Uy.
According to Belmonte, Benaldo’s wife said the congressman became “unhappy” after his failed bid.
“After his loss in the recent elections, he is sometimes unhappy and so forth,” said Belmonte.
The House Speaker said he does not want to speculate on the incident.
“Whether it was accidental or not accidental I cannot venture that point but there is no question na siya lang ‘yung nandoon sa kwarto,” he told dzMM.
He added that Quezon City Police District is now investigating.
Stable condition
The outgoing congressman, according to Belmonte, is in stable condition and in good spirits.
“He seems to be OK. Nakikipag-usap siya sa amin eh, he even gave us a thumbs-up,” said Belmonte.
Benaldo sustained a gunshot wound in the chest but Belmonte said the wound is “through and through.”
As of around 9:30 p.m., Benaldo was able to talk to family members, including his wife, who visited him at the hospital.
Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo also went to the hospital to check on his colleague, and took photos of Benaldo in an ambulance.
“When I asked him what he wants to tell our colleagues who are all asking about him, he gives me the thumbs up,” Quimbo posted on Instagram.
Benaldo was transferred to St. Luke's Medical Center in Quezon City late Thursday night.
In recent weeks, Benaldo was the subject of headlines for his relationship with his wife, who had aroused speculations that she was a victim of domestic violence.
Benaldo admitted that they were having problems as a couple, but said he has asked for forgiveness from Menezes.
The couple appeared on “The Buzz” on June 16 and addressed the issue, maintaining that no incident of domestic violence took place.
Here are Photos by miro_quimbo via Instagram:
source: ABSCBN news
