Duterte no show at AFP leadership turnover rites

This photo shows the AFP chief of staff change of command ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.  INQUIRER.net/Frances Mangosing

Updated @ 9:44 p.m., Sept. 24, 2019

MANILA, Philippines — For the first time since assuming office in 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte did not attend the change of command ceremony for the Armed of Forces Chief (AFP) chief of staff on Tuesday.

In a statement, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the President opted to skip the event, which was held the AFP Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

According to the Palace official, the President designated Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to represent him at the event.

Panelo said the “punishing schedule of official and social events the previous days has slightly affected the President’s body temperature.”

“He opted to rest so he can be in his usual healthy self in no time,” he added.

Recently, the President attended the baptism of Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco’s daughter.

LOOK: Duterte attends baptismal rite of Rep. Velasco’s daughter

In a Palace briefing Tuesday morning, Panelo also told reporters that the President attended his surprise birthday party on Monday.

In an Instagram post shared by Gretchen Barretto, the President can be seen singing at Panelo’s birthday celebration.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2whUd4JqQo/?igshid=crl6e1pa4owd

The change of command ceremony marked the assumption of Lt. Gen. Noel Clement as the chief of staff of the AFP.

The post was turned over from Gen. Benjamin Madrigal who retired from the military service on reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.

/kga /atm