The weekly public address of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte will not push through tonight amid the rising number of COVID-19 cases within the Presidential Security Group (PSG).
“The Palace confirms that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte will not have a Talk to the People Address tonight, April 7, 2021, in light of the rising number of active COVID-19 cases,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed.
Sec. Roque added that the safety of the Chief Executive remains their “utmost concern” and that the “the preparation for the Talk to the People Address entails a number of staff complement and we also take due consideration of their well-being.”
PSG Commander Jesus Durante III clarified that infected PSG personnel “are not directly or closely detailed with the President and are all asymptomatic.”
“PSG through its Task Force COVID-19 and our medical staff continue to efficiently and effectively manage our situation ensuring that those who are tested positive complete their quarantine protocols and are properly processed. Likewise, all health and safety protocols are strictly enforced and implemented to all PSG personnel and their dependents,” Durante affirmed.
Senator Bong Go assured in a separate statement that there is no cause for concern regarding the health of the President.
“Nasa mabuting kalagayan naman po ang Pangulo. In fact, magkasama kami kanina at patuloy ang kanyang trabaho (He is in good condition. In fact, we were together earlier and he continues to work),” Sec. Go said.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, a member of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) who usually meets with the President, announced Tuesday he also tested positive for COVID-19.
He has already told those he had contact with to isolate and advised them to get tested for the disease. – Report from Mela Lesmoras/AG-jbb
