Duterte not confined in hospital – Palace

April 2, 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte is not confined in a hospital in San Juan City amid the spread of coronavirus disease, a Palace official said on Thursday.

"We have been informed that a false news starting to spread in the social media that PRRD is already confined at Cardinal Santos hospital," said Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo in a statement.

"We wish to inform the public that such information is absolutely false," he said.

Panelo said Duterte is fit and healthy and is currently doing his duties at his official residence at the Bahay Pagbabago in Malacañang.

He warned the public from spreading fake news.

"We caution our people to be wary of purveyors of false news and information and always watch and read official advisories relative to the President and the implementation of the Bayanihan Heal As One Act to put a stop to the spread of the deadly COVID-19," said Panelo, who is also the chief presidential legal counsel.

Duterte has been under quarantine since last Saturday after his exposure to some government officials who are tested positive for COVID-19.

He made a taped national address on Wednesday night, warning the left-leaning groups that he would order the police and the military that they be shot if they would engage and instigate again the people in holding a rally just like what happened earlier in the day. Celerina Monte/DMS