By Argyll Geducos
After months of being locked inside Malacañang and a few weeks in his hometown, President Duterte said that he will soon resume his regular visits to different military camps across the country.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (ACE MORANDANTE/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO/MANILA BULLETIN)
In his public address on Monday evening, President Duterte announced his intention to visit military camps again.
However, the 75-year-old President said he will be extra careful because he knows the threat of COVID-19 to his health as he belongs to what is considered as the vulnerable demographic.
"In the coming days I intend to go around the country. Magbisita ako. Magbisita pa ako ng kampo ng mga military (I will visit military camps). So I will just have to take precautions," Duterte said.
President Duterte is known to go around the country and visit military camps to talk to soldiers there. In several occasions, the President has extended assistance and other items such as cash, phones, and guns, among others, to the men in uniform.
The President also said he wanted to board the Philippine Navy’s brand new warship, the BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150), which was supposed to be commissioned on the hero's birthday on June 19 but was moved to a later date.
The Philippine Navy earlier said that President Duterte was invited to be the guest of honor and speaker at the ceremony once a new date is set.
The ship is the first of two frigates built by South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries for the Philippine Navy.
Meanwhile, President Duterte said he hated being locked inside Malacañang but said he had no choice but to follow the guidelines set by the national government.
"I hate it. I do not want, even myself. Pero ang sabi ko sa inyo kung kayo hindi makatiis at tinamaan kayo, sorry na lang (But I warn you that if you cannot stay inside and you catch it, then all I can say is sorry)," Duterte said.