Duterte shuns VIP treatment at NAIA

MANILA, Philippines (Philippines News Agency) — Living up to his promise to shun special treatment, President Rodrigo Duterte returned to his home in Davao City on board a commercial flight on Thursday night.

 

Based on a photo posted by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), Duterte sat on the window side of a three-seat row in the economy class section of the Philippine Airlines (PAL) Flight PR1825 that left Manila at 9 p.m. and arrived in Davao City at 10:45 p.m.

 

At the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Duterte also shunned VIP treatment usually given to the president of the Philippines.

 

RELATED: Duterte takes commercial flight to Davao City

 

Several photos also posted by the PCOO showed that Duterte passed through the X-ray and metal scanners, raising his hands for inspection as he entered the departure area of the NAIA Terminal 2.

 

President Rodrigo Duterte undergoes security check upon entering the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 prior to his flight home to Davao City. Presidential Photographers Division/King Rodriguez

In the first Cabinet meeting after his inauguration last June 30, Duterte directed his Cabinet members to shun priority treatment at the airports.

 

”We should treat ourselves just like any other Filipino travelling,” the president told his Cabinet.

 

Amid air traffic congestion at the NAIA, DDuterte also said he would do away with the presidential no-fly-zone whenever he would fly in and out of the country’s main gateway.

 

Duterte, the country’s 16th president, is known for his simple living despite being the mayor of Davao City for 23 years. He also once served as congressman of the first district of Davao City.