After 5-day hiatus, Duterte says he went to Mindanao for a secret trip

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte on Saturday sought to dispel rumors about his health condition, saying he was not seen in public in the last five days because he went to Mindanao for a secret trip.

Duterte declined to elaborate on the trip, which he said lasted for two days.

“I went on a trip somewhere. I cannot divulge it. I have to go there incognito. That’s the truth,” the president told reporters on Saturday in Butuan City.

“I traveled like a private citizen so I can go to that place,” he added.  

Duterte also confirmed that he spent a few days taking a rest and denied that he suffered from an illness.

“Sa kama lang naman ako, kayo naman (I was just lying on my bed)…Coma? Kama (bed),” the president said.

“Kung coma ako, di ako nandito para mamut**g i** (If I were in coma, I would not be here to curse),” he added.

Officials said Duterte skipped the Independence Day rites in Manila last June 12 because he was not feeling well. They claimed that Duterte needed to rest because his schedule has been “brutal” since he declared martial law in Mindanao last May 23. Duterte did not have any public engagement until last Friday, sparking speculations that he is sick.

Asked about his state of health, Duterte said: “How do i do it? My last examination was last year. My state of health is what you see is what you get.”

“You must learn from the Davao media. I’m like that. I don’t need anybody to ask me where I’m going,” he added.

Duterte said his health condition is “immaterial” because the Constitution has a mechanism for succession in the event that he can no longer perform his functions.

“We have (Leni) Robredo. We have the vice president. If I do not come out in a month because I am in a coma and someone verifies you no longer have a president, it’s time for change,” he said.

“The only (time you will have a) problem is when there is no successor because there will be a struggle. If that’s the case, there will be a vacuum in leadership, the military will always take over to control put things in order and maybe set an election. But we have a vice president. So what’s the problem?" the chief executive said.

Duterte also urged the public not to worry too much about him.

“My state of health is immaterial. What is important is I have a successor so there is a constitutional succession, you follow it,” he said.

“To my countrymen, do not worry too much. Ayaw pa ninyo niyan isang taon lang bago na naman (Don’t you want a new president after a year)? I’m good. I’m alive,” the president said.

Duterte was his old self on Saturday when he visited the troopers of the 4th Infantry Division in Butuan City. During the visit, he told soldiers that he loves them all and that he is ready to provide them everything they need to fulfill their mission.

Duterte also returned with his trademark curses, chiding the United States anew for supposedly imposing their views on Filipinos.

“These Americans approached me, they are crazy, thoe sons of b******, they cannot understand the problem,” he said during the 50th anniversary of Agusan del Norte in University of Cabadbaran also on Saturday.

“They want us to follow their style. My point is they should not underestimate the Filipino,” he added.