Duterte wants BRP Ang Pangulo converted into COVID-19 hospital

President Rodrigo Duterte has directed the Philippine Navy to convert BRP Ang Pangulo, the presidential yacht, into a hospital for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.

"Ang Philippine Navy, inalert ko sabi ko yung mga barko ninyo na magaganda, yung Pangulo, yung barko ng presidente ng Pilipinas, maganda 'yan," Duterte said in a live address.

"[S]abi ko sa Navy, gawaing ospital agad, pati magtulong sila ng iba. ...Magkukulang tayo sa mga health workers at doctors," he later added.

Duterte said the interior of the presidential yacht resembled a hotel, but he never used it.

"Ang loob niyan parang hotel. Ako po sabihin ko sa inyo, hindi ako nagamit. Tiningnan ko 'yan umakyat ako minsan kasi may pinuntahan ako sa Bureau of Customs," Duterte said.

"Pero hindi ko sinakyan 'yan, kailan man 'yung yate ng presidente, hindi ako bagay diyan, pang-bangka lang ako," he added.

On Friday, the Philippines reported a total of 3,018 COVID-19 cases, 136 deaths, and 52 recoveries. —LDF, GMA News