MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano described President Rodrigo Duterte as a “grieving father” after the Chief Executive kissed the ground at the blast site in Jolo, Sulu to honor those who were killed by the twin bombings last week.
“This is why the Filipino people love President Duterte. And why his critics will never understand him. Where they see a politician, the whole nation sees a grieving father,” Cayetano wrote in a Facebook post Monday.
“Maraming Salamat Mr. President – for showing us true leadership in this time of crisis.”
Duterte visited Jolo, Sulu on Sunday to condole with the victims of twin explosions that killed at least 17 and injured 75 others last August 24.
The President offered flowers and prayers at a blast site, before going to Camp Teodolfu Bautista to visit those injured in the incident and delivered a talk before soldiers that reportedly lasted more than an hour.
Duterte’s former aide and now Senator Christopher “Bong” Go shared photos of the President kneeling and kissing the ground while wearing a face mask.