MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte's absence from the public eye allowed him not just to read documents and to attend meetings but to do one of his hobbies.
The president went motorcycle-riding in Davao City over the weekend, surprising his security aides and proving anew that he is in the pink of health, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said Monday.
"He (Duterte) asked me this, he said, 'Did you know that I went out riding a motorcycle?' He said he had a motorcycle ride," Panelo said.
"He wanted to ride the motorcycle and went out of his subdivision. The PSG (Presidential Security Group) panicked," he added.
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Panelo said Duterte told him that many people took photos of him riding the motorcycle. The presidential spokesman said the media was not able to pick up the motorcycle ride because he did not read or hear about it.
"It only shows that since he is capable of riding on a motorcycle, he is in good health. That's what it means," Panelo said.
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The 74-year old president has not had a public engagement since August 9. He was last seen in public during the 118th anniversary of the police service in Camp Crame. Panelo previously said Duterte was busy with paper works and private meetings.
Duterte will end his hiatus Tuesday, August 20, as he is expected to receive the credentials of envoys in Malacañan. He is also scheduled to inaugurate a solar facility in Romblon on Wednesday.