‘In case you ask where I am, I’m here,‘ Duterte tells residents of storm-hit Surigao del Sur
MANILA, Philippines — “I came here to you in case you ask where I am. I’m here,” President Rodrigo Duterte said in his pre-recorded briefing that aired on Monday to explain his presence in Surigao del Sur after it was hit by Tropical Storm Auring.
[Original statement in Filipino: “Pinupuntahan ko lang kayo kung magtanong kayo kung nasaan ako, nandito ako.”]
Before the briefing, Duterte also conducted an aerial inspection of Surigao del Sur, one of the areas hardest-hit by the storm, which was reported to have caused one death in the Caraga Region.
In November 2020, the hashtag #NasaanAngPangulo trended online while Super Typhoon Rolly and Typhoon Ulysses hit parts of Luzon.
Duterte responded to critics questioning his supposed inaction by saying the government was on top of the situation.
