Duterte back in Manila today after weekend in Davao

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — President Duterte is slated to return to Manila later today, after spending a weekend at home in Davao City, to catch the weekly meeting tomorrow of the Inter-Agency Task Force on  Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) in addressing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Unlike his previous trips back home in the past four years when the President would make it a point to hold either a private meeting or attend an event of any group in the south as part of his provincial sorties, Duterte’s latest trip to Davao City was strictly personal – a quick weekend respite – as he did not conduct any meeting with anyone or any group while here.

The President only stayed home and rested, especially since no cars and residents are allowed to go out on Sundays in the city except for those considered to be “authorized persons outside of residence” or APOR.

Duterte was also able to see some family members but not everyone, as his schedule was limited. 

A dedicated medical team, as well as members of the Presidential Security Group, were the only ones allowed to go near the President, while others maintained their distance. 

The private jet he will be using Monday shall undergo a thorough disinfection before he is allowed to board the aircraft.

Davao City may be under general community quarantine but a food and medicine pass system, as well as number coding, is still strictly followed here. 

The President arrived in Davao City last Saturday after spending 67 days in Manila overseeing the government action in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.

The President always made it a point to come home to Davao City for the weekend ever since he assumed office in June 2016. However, the country’s COVID-19 crisis had him holed up at the Bahay Pagbabago in Malacañang over the past weeks.

Duterte was only able to enter Davao City last Saturday, after presidential daughter and Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio allowed his private jet to land at the Philippine Air Force Tactical Operations Group XI headquarters in the premises of Davao International Airport.

Guidelines for the interzonal and intrazonal movement set by the government state that the movement of government officials and government frontline personnel within and across areas placed under any form of community quarantine shall be permitted.

Land, air, or sea travel by uniformed personnel, government officials and employees for official business with corresponding travel authority, and authorized humanitarian assistance actors and other relief and humanitarian assistance, is also allowed.

Meanwhile, slow internet speed has hampered the President’s supposed meeting with important groups, especially the IATF, through teleconferencing. 

“It is hard to do teleconferencing with the President. He wants it to be a face-to-face meeting but with safe social distancing,” a STAR source said. Alexis Romero