Marcos skips engagements outside Malacañang; monitors EDSA rally
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (PCO)
President Marcos has cancelled his engagements outside the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday morning, June 30, as he monitors the ongoing rally in EDSA, Malacañang said.
Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez confirmed that the President opted not to attend two of his scheduled engagements on Tuesday.
Marcos was scheduled to grace the inauguration of the Marine Clean-Up Vessel for the Enhancement of Marine Litter Management (EMLM) in Manila on Tuesday morning.
He was also supposed to participate in the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) Presidential Luncheon in Makati City on Tuesday at noon.
"Yes cancelled. The President is monitoring the situation in EDSA," Gomez said in a message to reporters Tuesday morning.
According to Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro, receiving updates on the ongoing situation along EDSA, where protesters started demonstrating a surprise rally.
"Nagmo-monitor po ang Pangulo sa ngayon sa kasalukuyang sitwasyon. Patuloy na inaalam ang nangyayari sa mga kababayan natin na naantala sa paglalakbay at pagtatrabaho dahil sa nangyayari sa EDSA (The President is currently monitoring the situation. He is continuously receiving updates on the condition of our fellow Filipinos whose travel and work have been disrupted by the ongoing situation along EDSA)," Castro said in a text message to reporters.
"Minomotor din niya ang kapakanan ng ibang kababayan na naiipit sa gitna ng EDSA pati na rin ang pagsasagawa ng mga kapulisan ng kanilang mandato na magbigay proteksyon at seguridad sa mga inosente nating kababayan (He is also monitoring the welfare of those stranded in the middle of EDSA, as well as the actions of the police in carrying out their mandate to provide protection and ensure the safety and security of our innocent fellow Filipinos)," Castro added.
Marcos also has remaining engagements for the day, but both will be held at Malacañan.
He is set to welcome new United States Ambassador to the Philippine Lee Lipton for his presentation of credentials.
The President will likewise meet Republic of Korea Ambassador Lee Sang-Hwa for a farewell call.
Marcos is set to leave the country on Wednesday for an official visit in Canada.