MANILA, Philippines – He poses with his most trusted aide, he reads documents, and salutes an air force officer. Who then is unwell? Not President Rodrigo Duterte, based, apparently, on the photos released to media by Christopher “Bong” Go and Malacañang.
The Office of the President said Duterte’s photos were taken on Thursday, June 15, 2017, “to quell rumors that the President is sick.”
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In a photo from Go, the chief executive is seen wearing a black polo shirt and black pants with his special assistant inside the presidential residence at the Palace.
The two are standing in front of what appears to be a day bed type of sofa with pillows and a black bag, with the President posing near a big flatscreen TV.
The same picture also shows that his left hand is touching the side of his abdomen and it appears that a black cloth is wrapped around his stomach area.
Another photo from Go also shows Duterte standing beside his special assistant in the same area in Bahay Pagbabago and no longer touching his stomach. His polo shirt also no longer looks wrapped with a cloth.
This picture also shows news about the death toll from the fire engulfing Grenfell Tower in London being flashed on the flatscreen.
ABS-CBN News reported that ANC had confirmed that the news being shown on TV while Duterte poses with Go in the photo was aired between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. on Thursday.
The other photo, also from Go, shows Duterte in Bahay Pagbabago sitting and reading documents while holding a pen.
The rest of the photos released by Malacañang show the President being welcomed by Philippine Air Force (PAF) officials during his visit to Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.
The Palace said Duterte’s visit took place on Thursday, June 15.
In one of these photos, the President is seen wearing a dark blue polo shirt, black pants, and brown leather jacket in front of a helicopter saluting a PAF officer.
A second photo shows the chief executive shaking the hand of another PAF officer and a third shows Duterte being led by PAF chief Lt. Gen Edgar Restor Fallorina.
The fourth photo shows the President walking with Fallorina, Go, and others at the air base.
