Duterte to cut down on public engagements until Marawi siege is over

President Rodrigo Duterte delivers a speech on Wednesday, June 28, 2017, at the turnover of military arms from China at Clark Air Base in Mabalacat, Pampanga. (Photo from an RTVM video)

President Rodrigo Duterte will have fewer public appearances until the Marawi siege is over.

Speaking at the 140th anniversary of the Philippine-Chinese Charitable Association at the Manila Hotel, Duterte explained he would visit more military camps to boost the morale of soldiers.

“You know you’d see me less — less of me until the Marawi incident is over,” he said. “Nandoon ako sa mga kampo. Every day lumilipad ako ng kampo talaga just to raise the morale.”

Earlier, during the 120th founding anniversary of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) on Wednesday afternoon, he said he was planning to visit strife-torn Marawi City on Friday in time for his first year in office as President.

“I want to go to Marawi. I think I will go there on Friday,” he said.

During the past weeks, Duterte has been out of the public eye for days.

His prolonged absence started when he skipped the Independence Day rites in Manila. Malacañang officials said he was not feeling well.

For five days, he did not have public engagements, which sparked speculation that he was seriously ill.

But Malacañang said he was “just resting.”

He was then again seen in Butuan City on June 17.

On June 20, he visited an evacuation center in Iligan City and a military camp in Cagayan de Oro City.

After that, he made no public appearances. He reappeared only on Tuesday night in Malacañang for the Eid al-Fitr celebration.

The President dismissed rumors he was sick, saying he only stayed in his bed.

“Kaya you should be worried about my life a few days ago, comatose na raw ako. Wrong spelling lang po ’yun ng media, it’s really ‘kama.’ If I am not around and you do not see me, siguradong nasa kama ako,” he said. /atm