Duterte figures in minor motorcycle accident

President Duterte figured in a minor accident after riding a big bike around the Malago Compund in Malacañang Park on Wednesday night.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo confirmed this after the President’s long-time aide Senator Bong Go told reporters that the

President fell off a motorcycle and was experiencing pain on his hip.

Panelo assured that the President, according to his common-law wife Honeylet Avanceña, was in good health and there was no indication that his upcoming events would be cancelled.

“While it is true that the President roamed around with his motorcycle, the incident occurred when he has already parked his motorcycle at the compound of the Presidential Security Group (PSG). 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,” he said.

“President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is now resting in his official residence. Again, we assure our people that the President is fine, and his recovery entails no major medical procedure,” he added.

Panelo said that there was no need for the President to see a doctor because he only suffered minor injuries.

“No more. Galos lang yun, eh (It’s just a scratch),” he said.

PSG commander Col. Jose Eriel Niembra said the President almost figured in two accidents Wednesday night. He narrated that the President first rode a three-wheeled motorcycle and one of its wheels hit a rock, causing it to go off balance. The President did not fall as the PSG was quick to help him.

“’Di naman sumemplang. Sumabit lang one tire sa (The President did not fall off the vehicle. One of the wheels hit a rock paglabas (going out) from the garage,” he said in a text message.

“It’s a trike (3-wheeled) motorcycle ang gamit niya kaya ‘di naman natumba. And masyado mahina patakbo palabas pa lang ng garage (so he did not fall off and he was driving slowly from the garage),” he added.

After riding the three-wheeled motorcycle, Niembra said Duterte switched to a big bike, around 650 CC, and made two rounds inside the compound. He said the President became off-balanced when he stopped the motorcycle to pick something up. The PSG rushed to his side but Duterte’s right hand was already touching the ground.

Panelo said Duterte being in good health was the most important thing than the conflicting statements from him, Go, and Niembra about the details of the accident.

“Whatever the story is, what’s important is he’s in good hands,” he said.

“Mas mahalaga na okay ang ating Presidente (It’s more important that the President is in good condition),” he added.

Duterte attended the switch-on celebration of the San Buenaventura 500-megawatt Supercritical coal-fired power plant in Taguig City Wednesday evening. After that, he went to the wake of Miguel Barretto, the father of actresses Gretchen, Marjorie, and Claudine in Taguig City.

In November last year, President Duterte, a motorcycle enthusiast, revealed that he was still experiencing pain near his ear from a severe spinal injury due to a motorcycle accident he had when he was 68 years old.

Duterte explained that he is seen massaging his ear because of the pain that he experiencing there almost 24/7.

“I’m suffering from pain 24 hours a day. And probably you see me always massaging the left nerve of my lower ear. It’s because I’m suffering almost everyday non-stop,” he said.

“In a scale of – pain scale of one to 10, maybe something like two, three,” he added.

According to Duterte, his family did not want him to undergo surgery as it may have a negative effect on him.

Senator Christopher Lawrence ‘’Bong’’ Go said President Duterte woke up Thursday morning with pains on the hip after a motorcycle accident but is now resting,.

“I will insist he sees a doctor. The doctor may recommend an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging),’’ Go told Senate reporters.

Go expressed hope that the President suffered no fractured bones as a result of the accident

“The President is a rider. Sanay na yan. Natukod ng siko niya (he was able to break his fall by using his elbow). Body weight. At his age, he needs alalay (help). Umiiral ang hilig niya sa motorcycle. He said he could not help but ride a motorcycle,’’ he said. (Despite his age, the President could not stay away from a motorcycle.)

Go said that the 72-year-old President first rode a 500-cc motorcycle and then switched to a bigger 650-cc motorcycle.

Go said he strongly suggested to the President that he should ride a smaller scooter.