Philippines reassures President Duterte 'alive and well'

(Baonghean.vn)- On June 27, the Philippine government announced that President Rodrigo Duterte is alive and well, and has no health problems. The announcement was made amid concerns that the President has not appeared in public for a long time this month and that the government is "covering up" the issue.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte at a military camp in Zamboanga, Sibugay, southern Philippines on June 2. Photo: Reuters

“First and foremost, he is alive and well, very well, he is just busy doing what he needs to do,” presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella told reporters.

“Because you see the President in public a lot, but when he steps away from the camera, that’s when he can do office work, sign papers, read, consult, he’s really busy,” Abella said. “It’s very important that he’s the one who has to deal with things, he’s aware of what’s going on, he’s updated.”

Philippine Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar also reassured that “people should not worry. Our President is still healthy.”

The non-partisan leader is scheduled to meet with some cabinet members today, and attend an event at the Presidential Palace in the capital Manila marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Eid al-Fitr.

His last public appearance was on June 20, in two cities near Marawi, where fierce fighting between rebels and government forces is taking place, to visit soldiers and displaced people./.

Lan Ha

(According to Reuters)