Philippine News Agency
Duterte never downplayed Covid-19 threat: Palace
Malacañang denied that President Rodrigo Duterte initially downplayed the threat of COVID-19, stating his actions were based on World Health Organization pronouncements and the evolving situation.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo explained that Duterte's initial remarks were made when there were only two deaths in the country, aiming to avoid causing unnecessary anxiety among citizens.
Panelo emphasized that Duterte eventually imposed strict quarantine measures in Luzon to contain the spread of the virus.
He urged critics to offer constructive suggestions rather than focusing on perceived government shortcomings during the ongoing crisis.
Topics in this story
Explore more stories about these topics.
🤖
This story was generated by AI to help you understand the key points. For more detailed coverage, please see the news articles from trusted media outlets below.
News Sources
See how different news organizations are covering this story. Below are the original articles from various Philippine news sources that contributed to this summary.
President Rodrigo Duterte claimed in an April 6 speech that he warned Filipinos about the threat of COVID-19 from the start.
Read more →
Malacañang has urged the public to offer recommendations instead of criticizing President Duterte's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, stating that past remarks are irrelevant as the government is already addressing the crisis.
Read more →
President Duterte urged Filipinos to unite in prayer to overcome the coronavirus pandemic, stating that only God can truly solve the problem.
Read more →
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo has debunked rumors circulating on social media that President Duterte has been hospitalized, assuring the public that the President is fit and healthy and continues to perform his duties.
Read more →
Malacañang defended President Rodrigo Duterte's statement ordering authorities to shoot dead individuals who resort to violence during the COVID-19 crisis, stating it is not a crime.
Read more →