MANILA, Philippines — Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar dispelled rumors circulating on social media on Wednesday that President Rodrigo Duterte had suffered a mild heart attack.
In a Facebook post, Andanar posted a screenshot of a post made to look like a news report with a headline that read: “Breaking News: Sources say Duterte suffers Mild Heart Attack.”
“Huwag magpapaniwala sa FAKE NEWS,” Andanar wrote as a caption.
[Translation: “Don’t believe in fake news.”]
Duterte’s public address scheduled this Wednesday, after being canceled last Monday, was moved rescheduled again for next week.
This was announced after 45 members of the Presidential Security Guards were reported to have tested positive for COVID-19.
The PSG then gave an assurance that the President was “safe and in good health.”
Duterte’s last public address was on March 29, the same day he welcomed the arrival of one million doses of procured Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines.