DIGOS CITY–Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio condemned as “malicious” the spread of the President’s old photo online at the time when the country observed physical distancing.
The photo which showed the President having “selfie” with health workers had been circulating on social media and widely criticized as most of the country went on lockdown in the face of threats of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
“This photo showing President Duterte in a spontaneous selfie session with some healthcare workers was taken early in March 2017 in Davao City,” the mayor said.
She added it was taken when the President visited a private hospital after his grandchild, Stonefish, was born.
The photo has recently been going the rounds on social media and presented to appear like it was recently taken.
“That it is malicious and presented to confuse the public and stir outrage against the President and the healthcare workers is obvious,” the presidential daughter said in a statement posted on the city government’s Facebook page.
“The use of this photo to attack the President shows the desperation of anti-Duterte groups,” Mayor Duterte said.
“It tastes so poorly as the country is fighting against the spread of the deadly COVID-19 infection,” she added.
The mayor said posting the photo at the time when the country had been battling a crisis only showed the desperation of anti-Duterte group and their disrespect to the sacrifices of healthcare workers who are on the frontlines in the fight against COVID-19.
“This kind of political attack at this time of health crisis deserves nothing but our outright rejection and condemnation,” she said.
“We should not allow our common resolve to overcome this health crisis to be poisoned by the political toxicity of those who are against the government,” the Davao mayor said, adding “The common enemy had been toxic and deadly enough.”