After cutting short his Japan trip, Duterte complains of ‘unbearable pain’
MANILA, Philippines—President Rodrigo Duterte admitted Tuesday that he is in pain because of a motorcycle accident last week which prompted him to cut short his visit to Japan to attend the enthronement ceremony of Emperor Naruhito.
In a Facebook video posted by Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Duterte complained of something in his “belt area” which he said is about three inches.
“Alam mo, about four days ago, sumemplang ako sa motor. Eh pagka nagka motor ka, talagang once or twice sa buhay mo, makatikim ka talaga ng semplang. Lahat ng nagmomotor sumesemplang. Kagaya sa akin,” Duterte said.
(Just four days ago, I fell off a motorcycle. When you’re a rider, you’ll really figure in an accident at least once or twice in your life. All motorcycle riders experience that.)
“Ang ano lang, parang hindi ko matiis ‘yung sa belt banda, mga 3 inches, medyo masakit talaga. Eh nag tooth brush ako kanina pag gising ko magkain. Talagang [grimaced in pain],” he added.
(It’s just that I cannot endure the pain in my belt area, about 3 inches which really hurts. I brushed my teeth earlier and ate breakfast, it’s really…[grimaced in pain])
Less than a week before his Japan trip, the President hogged the headlines because of the motorcycle crash at the Presidential Security Group compound. Malacañang had claimed that the incident was nothing serious and Duterte does not need any major medical procedure.
Duterte even attended official engagements after the motorcycle accident.
But during the enthronement ceremony on Tuesday, Duterte was seen using a cane to assist him in walking.
Duterte decided to cut short his fourth Japan trip “due to unbearable pain in his spinal column near the pelvic bone” and fly back home on Tuesday evening, his spokesman Salvador Panelo said, adding that the Chief Executive will see his neurologist for consultation on Wednesday.
READ: LOOK: Hurting Duterte clutches on cane in Japan
READ: Duterte to clip Japan trip due to unbearable pain from motorbike accident
In Go’s Facebook video, Duterte appeared with a drooping right eye and a seemingly tired demeanor.
More than two weeks ago, the President revealed he has myasthenia gravis — “a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease that causes weakness in the skeletal muscles,” as defined by U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
In another video Go posted moments after the first video was interrupted, he assured the public that the President was all right.
“Pasensya po kayo na naputol po yung video kanina, sa mga kapatid nating Pilipino. Huwag kayong mag alaala, nasa mabuting kalagayan po ang ating mahal na Pangulo,” Go, Duterte’s longtime aide, said.
(I apologized if the first video was interrupted. Don’t worry, the President is fine.)
“Andito pa, nagbabasa ng kanyang mga paboritong litrato ng motor, at hindi pa rin daw siya titigil mag motor dahil hindi raw siya mabubuhay kung hindi raw siya magmomotor. Yun oh, motor pa rin ang tinitingnan. Kahit masakit na yung likod niya, ay motor pa rin ang nasa isipan niya,” he added.
(He’s here, looking at pictures of his favorite motorcycles. He said that he would continue to ride them because he would not live if he would stay away from motorcycles. Even though his back is hurting, he’s still thinking of motorcycles.)
The President’s state of health has been a recurring issue in his presidency given his advanced age.
Duterte, now 74, is the oldest Philippine president upon assumption to the post./ac
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