‘Unbearable’ back pain forces Duterte to cut short trip to Japan for Naruhito’s enthronement ceremony

The Philippine president was seen using a walking cane on Tuesday during a ceremony for Japanese Emperor Naruhito’s ascendancy to the throne

Duterte’s ailments came a week after he fell off a motorcycle in a mishap that saw him hurt his hip and suffer scratches

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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte used a walking cane on Tuesday. Photo: Twitter

Published: 4:59pm, 22 Oct 2019Updated: 5:00pm, 22 Oct 2019

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was forced to cut short his trip to Japan for the enthronement of Japan’s emperor on Tuesday due to “unbearable pain” in his lower back, after he fell from a motorcycle last week.

Duterte, who was among some 100 foreign leaders in attendance, used a walking cane earlier on Tuesday during a ceremony for Japanese Emperor Naruhito’s ascendancy to the throne, but would skip a dinner banquet to return home and see his neurologist, said Salvador Panelo, the presidential spokesman.

His daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, would represent him at the banquet.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and his daughter Sara Duterte arrive at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Photo: EPA-EFE/Jiji Press

“The public can rest assured that there is nothing to worry as regards the physical health and condition of the President,” Panelo said in a statement.

It was the third time this month that the Philippine government has tried to allay concerns about Duterte’s health.