Rody ends vacation, flies coach to Manila

MANILA, Philippines – President Duterte has emerged from his seven-day hiatus after celebrating the New Year with family and close friends. 

The Palace released photos of Duterte on a Manila-bound Philippine Airlines (PAL) commercial flight that left Davao City at 7:40 p.m. Thursday.

The President and his party of five took seats in the rear of economy class. Sources said PAL offered the President a seat in business class but he turned it down.

PAL upgraded the on-board meal that he barely touched. 

The only demand his three security officers asked of PAL was that they be allowed to embark and disembark through the back door of the plane. 

Special assistant to the President Christopher ‘Bong’ Go, Presidential Security Group chief Brig. Gen. Rolando Joselito Bautista and two other PSG personnel accompanied Duterte on the flight.

It was not the first time the President took a commercial flight in his regular travel between Davao City and Manila. In July, he was reported to have chosen a premium economy accommodation.

Duterte has been telling members of his Cabinet and other government officials to take economy seats rather than business class when traveling.

Yesterday, the President was back to his usual tight schedule, with his first official act this year a visit to Russian warship Admiral Tributs, a large anti-submarine ship, which is docked at the port of Manila on a goodwill visit along with three other Russian Navy vessels.

His visit came amid his declaration of crafting an independent foreign policy which veers away from its longtime defense ally, the US.

Accompanied by Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr., Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., the President toured the warship where he was received by top Russian Navy and embassy officials.   

Aboard the ship, Duterte was seen waving from the deck where he did his trademark fist gesture, which was also done by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said Duterte has shown keen interest in bolstering ties with Russia after his pivot to Beijing.

“The President has said before that he is open to joint military exercises with Russia. The goodwill visit by the Russian Navy will contribute to the strengthening of friendship with the Philippine Navy,” Abella said in a briefing Thursday.

“It is also an indication that our maritime cooperation can further be enhanced to enable diplomacy and camaraderie,” he added.

The President was also set to meet with top officials of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines yesterday afternoon for a New Year’s call and command conference in Malacañang. – With Edith Regalado