Duterte skips AFP change of command ceremony

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday skipped the change of command ceremony for the new chief of staff of the Armed Forces of Philippines (AFP).

Duterte was represented in the event at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. It was the first time Duterte missed the event since he assumed the presidency in 2016, according to AFP public affairs chief Colonel Noel Detoyato.

Explaining the President’s absence, Duterte’s spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the chief executive opted to take a rest following his “punishing schedule.”

“The punishing schedule of official and social events the previous days has slightly affected the President's body temperature. He opted to rest so he can be in his usual healthy self in no time,” Panelo said.

When reporters also asked Senator Christopher “Bong” Go about the President’s absence, Duterte's former top aide replied, “Panelo kasalanan. Si Panelo mag-answer. Nasa Senado po ako.”

Duterte graced the baptism of the daughter of Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco on Sunday and attended a private birthday celebration for Panelo on Monday.

“Hindi siya pinagsalita. He [Duterte] was just enjoying, watching, eating. We were busy eating our monggo. Can you imagine, monggo ang kinakain namin,” Panelo said of the birthday celebration.

Duterte was supposed to witness the testimonial review for outgoing AFP chief General Benjamin Madrigal Jr. and the installation of Central Command chief Lieutenant General Noel Clement as the 52nd head of the military.

The President earlier directed Clement to continue the fight against communist forces.

A member of the Philippine Military Academy Sandiwa Class of 1985, Clement will have a brief term as AFP chief as he is set to reach the mandatory retirement age of 56 in January 2020. — MDM/BM, GMA News