Duterte won’t visit quake-hit areas; to leave for Asean Summit on Nov 1

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte would not visit quake-hit areas in Mindanao, Malacañang said Thursday.

In a statement, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte “is conscientiously monitoring the situation of the areas affected by the earthquake this morning from his residence at Davao.”

“The President, however, deems it appropriate to refrain from personally inspecting the disaster-stricken areas and directing actions in response to the catastrophe as there are already ongoing operations by the responsible local government units, and they have so far effectively responded to the current critical situation,” Panelo added.

A powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit Tulunan town in Cotabato on Thursday, after a magnitude 6.6 temblor hit the same town on Tuesday and 15 days after it was also rocked by a 6.3-magnitude quake.

READ: Powerful earthquake hammers Cotabato, other parts of Mindanao anew

“[T]he President has ordered the national government, through its pertinent bureaus and agencies, to render immediate assistance in whatever form required under the premises,” Panelo said.

READ: Duterte safe after Mindanao quake, orders immediate relief operations

The Palace official said Duterte would leave on Friday afternoon to attend the 35th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit in Bangkok, Thailand. /kga