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Duterte admitted having undergone colonoscopy, endoscopy —Palace


President Rodrigo Duterte has admitted to undergoing colonoscopy and endoscopy recently, the Palace said on Saturday.

In a press statement, Malacañang said that the President himself admitted it in a speech before medical specialists attending the Asia Pacific Association of Gastroenterology (APAGE) 3rd Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinical Forum in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu on Friday.

Endoscopy is a nonsurgical procedure used to examine a person's digestive tract. On the other hand, colonoscopy is an examination used to detect changes or abnormalities in the large intestine (colon) and rectum.

Duterte shared that his colonoscopy and endoscopy processes were performed by Dr. Jose Sollano, APAGE chairperson.

According to Malacañang, Duterte also said that his son, Sebastian "Baste" Duterte, also experienced intestinal problem in the past.

"Well, I’m telling you the truth. And that was also genetically maybe... And I have a son, Sebastian; he got it also. He was also a patient of Joey (Dr. Sollano)."

Duterte noted that intestinal disorders are among the common diseases affecting soldiers and police personnel. 

"From my observation... not yet when I was mayor... but when I became President, I noticed that about 40 percent of all my soldiers and policemen suffer abdominal disorder," he was quoted as saying.

"I don’t know why. Maybe it’s the food. You know, when the soldiers... they go to the mountains, drink the water without purifiers. And just because it’s a spring in the mountain, you will just easily conclude that it’s clean, that it is pure," Duterte added.

Duterte then vowed for the continued improvement of the health services in the country by combating graft and corruption.

"For as long as we do not have law and order and for as long as there is corruption in government, this country will never rise."

Doubts regarding Duterte's health status emerged as Magdalo party-list Representative Gary Alejano called for full disclosure, citing the President's repeated remarks about his being tired and his plan of resigning from office as telltale signs that he is ill.

Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Jose Maria "Joma" Sison also claimed that Duterte had lapsed into coma, and called for its disclosure, saying it is a matter of public interest and public concern.

Duterte had admitted he is suffering from "perpetual pain" due to a spinal injury as a result of a motorcycle accident years ago. —LBG, GMA News

 

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