Members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) who contracted Covid-19 were not in direct contact with President Rodrigo Duterte, Malacanang Palace assured.
MALACANANG today has assured that President Rodrigo Duterte is in perfect health and the public need not worry about his condition.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that President Duterte’s continued absence especially in his weekly “Talk to the People” television address was prompted by reports that a number of his close-in security staff tested positive for Covid-19.
This, as PSG Commander Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante said that at least 126 members of the PSG had contracted the virus although he assured that many of them were already quarantined.
"But now, may mga na-clear na sa quarantine so we are down to around 45 active cases," he said in a media interview.
Durante also assured the public that the PSG men who contracted Covid-19 were not in direct contact with the President.
"The physical safety of the President remains our utmost concern," Roque said.
"In addition, 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," he added.
Roque said the President decided to skip his usual televised public address this week which was scheduled to air last Wednesday (April 7) in light of the rising number of active Covid-19 cases among his security detail.
"At the least, our PSG personnel who got infected are not directly or closely detailed with the President and are all asymptomatic without experiencing any adverse symptom. Hence, rest assured that the President is safe and in good health," he added.
President Duterte’s last “Talk the People” broadcast was on March 29, a day after his 76th birthday. (ONT)
Tags: #PresidentRodrigoDuterte, #PresidentialSecurityGroup, #TalkThePeople