Duterte mobbed by Qatar OFWs, brushes off near slip

DOHA, Qatar – President Duterte nearly fell off the stage while reaching out to shake hands with overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) gathered at the Lusail Sports Arena here.

At the start of the Filipino community event, the President tried to show appreciation for the crowd’s rousing welcome by walking towards the edge of the stage to offer a handshake when the near – slip occurred.

One overeager OFW pulled down the President’s hand, causing him to momentarily lose his balance.

He quickly recovered his composure as members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) promptly rushed to his side.

Other security personnel, including Qatari Royal Guards, were seen trying to keep other Filipinos workers from getting near the stage.

Duterte was apparently not bothered by the near onstage accident.

He kept smiling as he walked back to his designated seat on stage. The formal program commenced shortly.

More than 6,000 OFWs gathered at the massive sports complex on Saturday afternoon to see the President up close and listen to his message.

Upon his arrival, the President was given a rockstar welcome by the Filipino community as he made his way to the stage.

He was accompanied by several Cabinet members and senior government officials during his visit to Qatar.

The former Davao City mayor is immensely popular among the 220,000 OFWs in the tiny oil-rich emirate.

He obtained 78 percent of the votes cast by Filipino workers in Qatar in the 2016 presidential elections. (Genalyn D. Kabiling)