Duterte cuts short Japan trip due to ‘unbearable’ spinal pain sustained in motorbike mishap
PHILIPPINES President Rodrigo Duterte will return home from Japan sooner than expected “due to unbearable pain in his spinal column”, presidential palace Malacanang disclosed on Tuesday.
“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,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.
Panelo said Duterte would return to the Philippines early evening on Tuesday, one day ahead of schedule. “[He] will see his neurologist tomorrow, October 23, for consultation,” Panelo said.
Duterte left the country on Monda y t o a t t e n d t h e enthronement of Japanese Emperor Naruhito.
His daughter and Davao mayor Sara Duterte attended
Naruhito’s enthronement banquet at Tokyo’s Imperial Palace on his behalf.
In photos shared on social media, Duterte was seen using a cane while in Japan to attend the enthronement.
“The Palace, however, confirms that the president has attended the enthronement rites earlier today, albeit carrying a cane to assist him in his walk.
“While this was unforeseeable, the public can rest assured that there is nothing to worry [in] regards [to] the physical health and condition of the President as he gives serious priority [to health] to actively serve our country,” he added.
According to the Palace, Duterte was just slightly injured when he fell off his motorcycle last week as he went for a ride inside the Presidential Security Group compound.
Duter te’s hea lt h has been t he subject of speculation for years given his propensit y to s k i p k e y me e t i n g s a n d events.
During a rambling speech in 2016, he revealed that he once took fentanyl, a powerful painkiller, after suffering from spinal injuries due to separate motorcycle accidents.