Published 16:00 IST, October 17th 2019
Philippine President Rodrigo bruised, scratched from motorcycle fall
Philippine President Rodrigo has been bruised & scratched from motorcycle fall at palace grounds as per Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo on October 16.
- World News
- 2 min read
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been reportedly bruised and scratched after he fell off his parked motorcycle at the palace grounds. The information was given by Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo on October 16. The Philippines spokesperson added that the injuries severed by the President were minor and do not need any medical procedure for recovery. The incident happened on Wednesday night, reported the spokesperson.
Panelo said, “while it was true the president roamed around with his motorcycle,” Duterte fell after parking it on Wednesday night. The spokesman said Duterte was reaching for his shoe when he fell and had “light bruises and slight scratches to his elbow and knee.”
Philippines' President previous accident
The spokesperson added that the accident would not affect Duterte’s scheduled activities. He has suffered permanent nerve damage in his neck and frequent migraines, among numerous ailments. Yet the spokesperson assured the public that the President is in good hands. As per earlier reports, the Philippines President is fond of motorcycles and owns bikes like Harley Davidsons. He once also had a serious crash during a long-distance run and could still feel those injuries.
Rodrigo suffers from autoimmune disease
The 74-year-old president disclosed earlier this month that he suffers from an autoimmune disease that can potentially have serious complications at an appearance before the Philippine community late during a visit to Russia. As he is the oldest person to be elected president of the country, questions about his health have swirled since he took office in 2016. He reportedly has myasthenia gravis, which makes one of his eyes smaller and roams on its own. The President stated the disease to be a nerve malfunction which he inherited from his grandfather. According to the US National Institutes of Health, the disease causes muscle weakness and can result in drooping of eyelids, blurred vision as well as weakness in one’s extremities. Though it generally is managed with treatment, up to 20% of people who have the disease experience at least one crisis that requires them to use a ventilator to help breathe.
(With inputs from Associated Press)
Updated 17:29 IST, October 17th 2019