Birthday message for Duterte: Panelo says Philippines ‘on the precipice of annihilation’ due to COVID-19

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Friday offered a grim picture of the Philippines as it battles to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Panelo gave the message a day before President Rodrigo Duterte marks his 75th birthday, which the chief executive will be spending in Manila for the first time since he assumed power in June 2016. 

“As if these human and natural monstrosities were not enough to test the nerves and leadership of this President, our country is now on the precipice of annihilation as he leads us to face this Armageddon of an unseen lethal invader of a disease that is creeping into our people’s lifeblood, killing  them slowly and painfully into their graves,” Panelo said.             

“Under these foreboding and grim circumstances how can we greet him with a hearty Happy Birthday?!”

Still, Panelo wished Duterte good health and long life.

“We pray that the Almighty continue to give you good health and divine guidance as you safely navigate our people through the rampaging waves of this treacherous ocean of a dreadful disease,” he said.

Duterte is currently staying at Bahay Pagbabago inside Malacañang Complex, where he monitors developments on the government’s fight against COVID-19, said Presidential Security Group commander Colonel Jesus Durante III.

Durante also said there was no schedule for the President to fly to his hometown Davao City, where he usually spends his birthday with family.

The PSG has been restricting visits to the President and his attendance to meetings amid the COVID-19 situation in the country.

The Philippines has so far reported 803 COVID-19 cases with 54 deaths and 31 recoveries, according to the Department of Health on Friday. — RSJ, GMA News