Philippines’ Rodrigo Duterte hurt in motorcycle accident
- He suffered the mishap at the Malacanang presidential palace compound on Wednesday
- Duterte, whose health has been the subject of intense public speculation, was now resting at the palace, his spokesman said
Duterte, whose health has been the subject of intense public speculation, suffered the mishap at the Malacanang presidential palace compound late Wednesday, according to spokesman Salvador Panelo.
It came 10 days after Duterte disclosed he is suffering from myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disease that could potentially have serious complications.
“The president was reaching for his shoe when he fell off his motorcycle that resulted in a minor injury, particularly light bruises and slight scratches, to his elbow and knee,” Panelo said in a statement.
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, his former assistant and close aide, earlier told reporters Duterte had “crashed” and complained of hip pain after the accident, but was not hospitalised.
Panelo, citing Duterte’s girlfriend Cielito “Honeylet” Avancena, said the president’s injury will not require major treatment and “there is nothing to worry about”.