Duterte cancels Manila appearances

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—For undisclosed reasons, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has canceled all his scheduled appearances in Metro Manila even as the scheduled Million People Call event at the Quirino Grandstand organized by his supporters draws near.

“Apologies to all groups concerned. Mayor Rody Duterte has canceled his trip to Metro Manila from Sept. 14 to 16. In effect, all the previously scheduled activities to spread his advocacy on federalism are affected,” Duterte spokesman Peter Laviña said in a statement.

Laviña said these included Duterte’s scheduled meetings with traders and vendors in Divisoria, the Manila Overseas Press Club, taxi and jeepney drivers at the Quirino Grandstand, the urban poor in Dagatdagatan in Caloocan and a campus tour in Mandaluyong.

Laviña did not say why Duterte decided to cancel his appearances.

As to the plan of the Mayor Rodrigo Duterte for President Movement to

stage the Million People Call at the Quirino Grandstand on Sept. 26,

Laviña said he could not speak for the group.

‘Occupy Luneta’

But he said the group would likely push through with the event since it was not part of Duterte’s schedule.

Former Iligan City Mayor Franklin Quijano earlier said the Sept. 26 event, also dubbed “Occupy Luneta,” was to install a president rather than depose one.

Quijano described the rally as part of the continuing efforts to convince Duterte to run for president.—Allan Nawal, Inquirer Mindanao