Malacañang releases pictures of a sprightly President Duterte amid speculations he was ill

President Rodrigo Duterte is seen saluting government troops. The Palace said the picture was taken at the Villamor Airbase on Thursday.
President Rodrigo Duterte is seen saluting government troops in this picture released by the Palace. The Palace said the picture was taken at the Villamor Airbase on Thursday, June 15.

(Eagle News) — Malacañang released on Thursday night pictures showing a sprightly President Rodrigo Duterte attending functions, amid speculations he was ill after he was not seen in public engagements for four days.

The Palace said two pictures showed Duterte visiting Villamor Airbase, Pasay on Thursday.

In one of the photographs taken from the airbase, the President–who was sporting a cap and a brown leather jacket— was seen saluting government troops who welcomed him upon his arrival.

In this photo released by Malacañang, President Rodrigo Duterte is seen walking along a coastline. The Palace said this was taken at Villamor Airbase in Pasay on Thursday, June 15.
In this photo released by Malacañang, President Rodrigo Duterte is seen walking along a coastline. The Palace said this was also taken at Villamor Airbase in Pasay on Thursday, June 15.

In another, he was seen walking along a coastline accompanied by who appeared to be a government security official.

Several uniformed personnel are seen in a line, welcoming Duterte.

Another two pictures showed the President with his aide Bong Go.

Malacañang said the pictures this time were taken inside Bahay ng Pagbabago on Thursday, before 6 p.m.

Eagle News Bong Go Duterte June 15

President Duterte Bahay Pangarap June 15.
The Palace said these two pictures were taken in Bahay ng Pagbabago, also on Thursday, June 15.

Earlier, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the President was well, and was merely taking time off to “rejuvenate.”

This was after a punishing schedule that saw Duterte travelling from Cagayan de Oro, where he visited government troops wounded in the fighting in Marawi; to Villamor Airbase in Pasay, and to the Libingan ng mga Bayani and the Marine headquarters, both in Taguig; in one day, Sunday, June 11.

President Duterte ended his then-hectic schedule past midnight already.