MANILA: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte hurt his hip and suffered scratches in a motorcycle accident, senior aides of the 74-year-old leader said on Thursday.
Duterte suffered the mishap at the Malacanang presidential palace compound late on Wednesday, according to spokesman Salvador Panelo.
The crash came 10 days after Duterte — the oldest person to be elected Philippine president — disclosed he is suffering from myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disease that could potentially have serious complications.
“The president was reaching for his shoe when he fell off his motorycle that resulted in a minor injury, particularly light bruises and slight scratches, to his elbow and knee,” Panelo said in a statement.
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, his former assistant and close aide, earlier told reporters that Duterte had “crashed” and complained of hip pain after the accident, but was not hospitalised.
Panelo, citing Duterte’s girlfriend Cielito “Honeylet” Avancena, said the president’s injury will not require major treatment and “there is nothing to worry about”.
Duterte was trying to park the vehicle after driving around a courtyard Panelo said, adding the leader was now resting at the palace.
— AFP
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