MAPAPAAGA ang pagbabalik mula sa Japan ni Pangulong Duterte matapos dumalo sa enthronement ni Emperor Naruhito dahil sa sobrang pananakit ng spinal column.
Kinumpirma ni Presidential Spokesperson at Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo na hindi na tatapusin ni Duterte ang opisyal na iskedyul sa Japan kung saan orihinal siyang mananatili hanggang Oktubre 23 matapos umalis ng Oktubre 21.
“The Palace announces that the President will cut short his trip to Japan due to unbearable pain in his spinal column near the pelvic bone as a consequence of his fall during his motorcycle ride last Thursday, October 17,” sabi ni Panelo.
Base sa mga litrato na ibinahagi ni Senator Christophet “Bong” Go, kapansin-pansin na may hawak na tungkod si Duterte.
“He will return to the country early evening today, October 22, and will see his neurologist tomorrow, October 23, for consultation,” dagdag ni Panelo.
Bukod kay Go, kasama ni Duterte si Presidential daughter at Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte sa kanyang biyahe sa Japan.
“The Chief Executive will thus have to miss the Emperor’s banquet this evening at the Imperial Palace and has requested Mayor Sara Duterte to represent him and attend on his behalf,” ayon pa kay Panelo, na kasama rin ni Duterte.
Kinumpirma naman ni Panelo na nakadalo si Duterte sa seremonya para sa pagluluklok kay Emperor Naruhito, bagamat may gamit na tungkod para maalalayan siya sa kanyang paglakad.
“While this was unforseeable, the public can rest assured that there is nothing to worry as regards the physical health and condition of the President as he gives serious priority thereto in actively serving our country,” giit naman ni Panelo.