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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Duterte delivers short speech as part of protocol vs. COVID-19

Duterte delivers short speech as part of protocol vs. COVID-19

Published Mar 11, 2020 12:00 am
By Argyll Geducos Unlike in his usual public engagements, President Duterte on Wednesday delivered a short speech, saying he was discouraged from having long meetings and attending large congregations in line with measures against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). KNG23 President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers a speech during the Annual General Membership Meeting of the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association Inc. at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on January 21, 2020. KING RODRIGUEZ/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (KING RODRIGUEZ/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO) In his speech at the oath-taking ceremony of new Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) officers, Duterte teased his audience for "believing" in the threat of the disease. "Masyado naman takot itong corona na ito (They are too afraid of the COVID-19)," he said at the beginning of his roughly five-minute speech. "They are discouraging long meetings and large congregation. Naniwala pala kayo. Sus (I guess you believed that. My goodness)," he added. The Presidential Security Group (PSG) earlier announced that it was going to implement a "no-touch" policy on Duterte to protect him from the disease. However, the President violated the policy just hours after the announcement, saying he cannot avoid handshakes. The President, in his speech, shared a news report he heard about the Health Minister of Japan and Prime Minister Abe Shinzo testing positive for the disease. However, there are no reports saying such. Duterte enjoined the public last month to not believe everything they see about the disease online. "Maging maingat at ‘yung mga impormasyon na importante na manggaling sa WHO, ay ating pakinggan. At huwag makinig diyan sa mga haka-haka (Be very vigilant and only listen to the information given by the World Health Organization. Don't believe hearsay)," he said. "Sa gobyerno kayo nakatutok. Nandiyan ang totoo sa gobyerno, wala diyan sa mga taong haka-haka na wala namang ginawa kung hindi manakot para kapwa niya tao (Listen to the government because the truth is with the government. Not with those who only want to sow fear and panic)," he added. Malacañang likewise urged the public to stop sharing unverified information about COVID-19 in order to not cause panic. "We cannot stress enough the importance of everyone's cooperation during this time. Let us not circulate unverified information that may only cause unnecessary anxiety among the members of our respective communities," Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Wednesday. The Presidential Communications Operations Office also vowed to continue to work 24/7 and “multiply” efforts to deliver timely, accurate, and reliable information on combating the spread of the new coronavirus in the country.
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