Duterte downplays health issues, opts to discuss security matters in int'l meet

President Rodrigo Duterte admitted spending some time to rest but assured he is well enough to attend an international meet in South Korea next week.

"May injury ako, gusto ninyo makita. Ito visible ito (showing his elbow), may hematoma. When you are old, matagal ang hematoma. I walk with a limp," he said.

He added that he spent two days sleeping and that he could not go on vacation because of national issues that need to be addressed, such as the NPA, and terrorism.

"I'm 74 years old, when I decide to travel outside, it presupposes that I think kaya ko," he said in a press conference held at the Heroes Hall in Malacañan Palace on Tuesday evening.

Duterte is set to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Republic of Korea (Asean-ROK) Commemorative Summit in Busan, South Korea from Nov. 25 to 26, 2019.

He added that he will talk to some leaders about security matters.

"It is now the equilibrium of geopolitics. North Korea, then the Spratly islands. The South Koreans are against the occupation of the South China sea and the claim of China," Duterte said.

"This will be taken up, because one day when we decide to really go for it. It will be the western powers plus Seoul, plus Tokyo, and Australia, Malaysia. I do not know if Malaysia will join. I'm not sure," he added.

The bilateral meeting with South Korea is not part of the agenda, he clarified, but would be a "pull aside" meeting. — BAP, GMA News

For Manila, Duterte said, "I will decide when the time comes. I will not make any guarantees because I said, we do not have the firepower, I will not commit something that will just massacre. Bahala kayo dyan, tayo cover lang."