Duterte visits fire victims near Malacañang

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday visited victims of a fire that hit a community near Malacañang and promised them government assistance.

Duterte met with the residents of Banragay 645, San Miguel, Manila, at the National Shrine of St. Michael and the Archangels.

“Magandang gabi, ako po ang kapitbahay ninyo,” Duterte told the victims.

“Ang bahay ko po, sa inyo ‘yan. Kaya kung gusto ninyo, lumipat na kayo. Nandiyan lang sa tabi. Trabahante lang po ako ng gobyerno,” he said.

The President promised P5,000 cash assistance to each family and distributed food packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Pres. Duterte visits fire victims in San Miguel, Manila. He arrived after the mass @gmanews pic.twitter.com/T71RTjBhDn

— Trisha Macas (@trishamacas) August 16, 2017

“Kahit ako naman po, I cannot… hindi ko ho mabalewala kayo kasi magkapit-bahay tayo,” he said.

Duterte ended his visit with a group photo with the victims. 

According to Manila Police District director Chief Superindent Joel Coronel, the fire started at around 3 a.m. from a candle that residents suspected was used during a drug session.

"Pinaghihinalaan na iyong kandila ginamit sa pagda-drugs, kaya iyon ay pinaiimbestigahan natin," he told reporters.

Rosalie Depositar who is 8 mos pregnant is one of the San Miguel fire victims. She's sitting outside the Malacañang gate with son, pet dog pic.twitter.com/KUuHx0NY49

— Trisha Macas (@trishamacas) August 16, 2017

The fire displaced 400 families or over 2,500 residents.

The Bureau of Fire Protection declared fire out at around 8:30 a.m. —KBK, GMA News