Duterte out from public eye for five days now; Palace silent

MANILA, Philippines — Where is President Rodrigo Duterte?

The Chief Executive has been out of the public eye for five days now, and some immediate members of his official family appeared to be silent about his whereabouts.

Duterte was last seen in public on Sunday during the opening of the 2019 Palarong Pambansa in his hometown in Davao City.

Since then, the President had no public appearance and no scheduled event was released by Malacañang.

Before gracing the opening of the Palarong Pambansa on April 28, Duterte was in China from April 24 to 28 to attend the Second Belt and Road Forum in Beijing.

INQUIRER.net has sent text and Viber messages to Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, and his trusted aide Bong Go, but has not received a response as of posting time.

Duterte’s absences in the past have sparked rumors about his deteriorating health.

The 74-year-old chief executive earlier admitted that he suffers from Buerger’s disease, migraine, and back pains reportedly caused by smoking during his youth.

He also revealed that he had colonoscopy and endoscopy and that he has been undergoing regular blood tests.

READ: Duterte admits hospital visit for colonoscopy

But Malacañang has said repeatedly that there was nothing to worry about the President’s health.

“They cannot accept the fact that this President appears to be indestructible and apparently immune from any illness despite his punishing schedule. That’s why they just kill him in their minds,” Panelo earlier said, slamming critics of the President who accused him of being seriously ill. /ee

READ: President admits undergoing regular blood test