Duterte figures in motorcycle accident

Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2019 06:16:05 +0000

DUTERTE

President Duterte figured in a minor motorcycle accident last Wednesday evening after riding a big bike around the Malago Compund, Malacañang confirmed yesterday.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo made the statement after Duterte’s long-time aide Sen. Bong Go told reporters that the President fell off a motorcycle and was experiencing pain in his hip.

Panelo assured that the President, according to his common-law wife Honeylet Avanceña, was in good health and there was no indication if his upcoming events would be cancelled.

“While it is true that the President roamed around with his motorcycle, the incident occurred when he has already parked his motorcycle at the compound of the Presidential Security Group. The President was reaching for his shoe when he fell off his motorcycle that resulted in a minor injury, particularly light bruises and slight scratches, to his elbow and knee,” he said.

“President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is now resting in his official residence. Again, we assure our people that the President is fine, and his recovery entails no major medical procedure,” he added.

Panelo said that there is no need for the President to go see a doctor because the Chief Executive only suffered minor injuries. “No more. Galos lang yun, eh,” he said.

In a phone call with PSG commander Col. Jose Eriel Niembra, he said that Duterte almost figured in two accidents Wednesday night.

Niembra narrated that the President first rode a three-wheel motorcycle and one of its wheels hit a rock, causing it to go off balance. The President did not fall as the PSG readily helped him.

After riding the three-wheel motorcycle, Niembra said Duterte switched to a big bike, around 650 CC, and made two rounds riding inside the compound.

He said the President got off balanced when he stopped the motorcycle to pick something up. The PSG rushed to his side but Duterte’s right hand already touched the ground.

Panelo said Duterte being in good health was the most important thing rather than the conflicting statements from him, Go, and Niembra about the details of the accident.

“Whatever the story is, what’s important is he’s in good hands,” he said. “Mas mahalaga na okay ang ating Presidente,” he added.

Go said Duterte woke up yesterday morning with pains in the hip but is now resting. “I will insist he sees a doctor. The doctor may recommend an MRI,’’ Go said.

Go expressed hopes that Duterte suffered no fractured bones as a result. “The President is rider. Sanay na ‘yan. Natukod ng siko niya. Body weight. At his age, he needs alalay. Umiiral ang hilig niya sa motorcycle. He said he could not help but ride a motorcycle,’’ he said.

Duterte on Wednesday attended the switch-on celebration of the San Buenaventura 500-megawatt super critical coal-fired power plant in
http://tempo.com.ph/feed/