LAST PUBLIC EVENT. President Rodrigo Duterte was last seen visiting injured combatants at Camp Edilberto Evangelista Station Hospital in Cagayan de Oro City on June 20, 2017. Malacañang file photo

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – With no official activities scheduled on Monday, June 26, President Rodrigo Duterte is on his 6th day of rest, the longest he has been away from the public eye.

According to the Palace, Duterte will have no public events or official activities on Monday, a holiday due to Eid'l Fitr or the end of Ramadan.

The President has not been seen in public since June 20, when he visited an evacuation center in Iligan City and checked on the condition of soldiers in a Cagayan de Oro military hospital.

But according to a Palace official, Duterte kept busy with private events after June 20. On Thursday and Friday, June 22 and 23, he supposedly attended wakes. On Saturday, June 24, he was at a private dinner.

On June 17, Duterte had attended Agusan del Norte's 50th Founding Anniversary and visited a military command post in Bancasi, Butuan City. Before then, he had been missing in action for 5 days straight.

This is the 3rd prolonged period of rest Duterte has been on. The first was in February when he was gone for 4 days. The second was his 5-day absence from June 12 to 16.

The days preceding Eid'l Fitr were usually busy days for Duterte back when he was mayor, according to a Palace official who had worked at the Davao city hall. A few days before the holiday, Duterte would go around visiting mosques and Muslim communities to celebrate the occasion with them.

But security risks that come with the presidency and the ongoing clashes in Marawi City have made it impossible for Duterte to continue with this tradition, said the official.

Duterte is expected to resume his official activities on Tuesday, June 27, according to the Palace.

'Overwhelmed'

In his speech in Agusan del Norte, the President admitted his body had been "overwhelmed" by his activities in the first week of June, which included several visits to military camps and meetings in the aftermath of his martial law declaration.

Exhaustion led him to cancel his appearance at Independence Day rites on June 12 at the Rizal Park. Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, filling in for Duterte that day, said he was told the President was "not feeling well."

The Palace has consistently denied rumors that Duterte has been debilitated by any serious health condition. Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella maintained that while Duterte is in "excellent health," he has had to rest due to his taxing schedule.

The 72-year-old Duterte has previously complained about several health conditions, including Buerger's Disease and Barrett's Esophagus. He has admitted to having used powerful painkiller fentanyl as well as an oxygen concentrator for respiratory ailments. (READ: LIST: 'Migraine everyday' and Duterte's other ailments)

At least 3 senators have demanded full disclosure of the President's health, to which Duterte has reacted with disdain.

Duterte, the oldest president the country has had, has dismissed queries about his health since the 2016 presidential campaign. (READ: Duterte: De Lima wants to hear I'm dying) – Rappler.com</s>MANILA — Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte reappeared in public on Tuesday after an absence of a week, his longest disappearance from the spotlight as president, amid concerns about his health that the government insists are baseless.

Duterte gave a speech at the presidential palace of about 25 minutes late on Tuesday, during which he railed at Islamist militants for their bloody occupation of a southern town, but made no mention of why he had been absent from the public eye.

Known for a busy schedule and lengthy speeches often several times a day, the 72-year-old Duterte's low profile this month has fueled rumors he is in declining health and that the government is trying to keep that under wraps.

What has created most intrigue is Duterte being largely missing during what is the biggest crisis of his year-old presidency, as the military battles for a sixth week to defeat Islamic State-linked rebels currently occupying Marawi City on his home island of Mindanao.

Answering queries from reporters about Duterte's long absences, his spokesman, Ernesto Abella, said he was well and running the country as normal.

Related: What You Need to Know About Rodrigo Duterte

"He is very well, he's just busy doing what he needs to do," he said.

"As you've seen he's been very much in the public eye but being out of the public eye, that is when he is able to do office work, he signs papers, he reads, he consults, he's actually very busy.

"The thing that is very important to note is that he is on top of every situation, he is aware of what's happening, he's updated regularly, he reads, he listens and he's quite aware. This is just his working style."

Duterte was last seen on June 20 in two cities close to the violence-torn Marawi, visiting soldiers and evacuees.

That followed a three-day absence after a speech in which he said his health was "immaterial," amid raised eyebrows about his failure to appear in public for Independence Day on June 12.

Duterte's known ailments include back problems, migraines due to nerve damage after a motorcycle accident and Barrett's oesophagus, which impacts his throat. He also suffers from Buerger's disease, caused by his heavy smoking in younger days, which can cause blockages in the blood vessels.

His office has recently said he has been experiencing fatigue. His closest aide, Christopher "Bong" Go, on June 15 posted images on social media of Duterte signing documents and standing in front of a television showing a news bulletin, adding further fuel to rumors that something was wrong.</s>President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday night made an appearance in Malacañang after a six-day hiatus from the public’s sight.

Duterte led the Eid al-Fitr celebration at the Rizal Hall in Malacañang.

Muslim leaders led by Mohaqher Iqbal, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief peace negotiator, were present during the celebration.

In explaining Duterte’s absence from public view, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said the President was just busy with the things he needs to finish.

“He is alive and well. He is very well. He is just busy with what he really needs to do,” Abella said.

READ: Duterte is ‘alive and very well’ — Palace

The chief executive was last seen in public on June 20 after he visited an evacuation center in Iligan City in Lanao del Sur. After then, the President did not have public any engagements.

Prior to his six-day absence, Duterte had a prolonged absence from June 12 to 17. Abella said Duterte was “just resting” during those times, dismissing claims the President was seriously ill. JE</s>The Palace says the President is expected to make his first public appearance on Tuesday, June 27, at Malacañang events

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte's nearly weeklong absence from official activities and events was not related to health issues, said Malacañang on Tuesday, June 27.

Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella, asked during a chance interview if it was health-related, said, "No, it's not."

In a press conference before the interview, he insisted the President is in the pink of health.

"He is alive and well. He is very well. He is just busy with what he really needs to do," said Abella.

Taking a break from public events and activities gives Duterte more time to work on documents that need to be studied or signed, said his spokesman.

"Being out of the public eye is really when he gets to work…The thing important to know is he is on top of every situation," said Abella, calling the lack of official events the President's "working style."

Abella chose not to respond to a question on whether or not the public can expect the President to be out of the public eye more often given this new style of fulfilling his presidential duties.

According to Rappler sources, Duterte had some private activities during the last 6 days he was not seen in public.

Last Thursday and Friday, June 22 and 23, he supposedly attended wakes. On Saturday, June 24, he was at a private dinner.

Duterte was last seen on June 20 when he visited an evacuation center in Iligan City and soldiers recuperating in Cagayan de Oro from wounds sustained in Marawi.

The President is expected to make his first public appearance in 7 days on Tuesday when he leads Eid'l Fitr celebrations in Malacañang. Earlier on Tuesday, he will also preside over a National Economic and Development Authority Board Meeting and will participate in the presentation of a donation for Marawi City.

Duterte's previous prolonged absence, from June 12 to 16, was described by the Palace as a period of rest after strenuous activities that led him to cancel his appearance at the Independence Day rites, which would have been his first as president. (READ: LIST: 'Migraine everyday' and Duterte's other ailments) – Rappler.com</s>Manila: Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is alive and well and experiencing no health problems, the government said on Tuesday, amid concerns about his disappearance from the public eye for unusually long periods this month.

Known for a busy schedule and lengthy speeches often several times a day, the 72-year-old Duterte`s low profile has fuelled rumours he is in declining health and that the government is trying to keep that under wraps. He was last seen in public a week ago.

What has created most intrigue is Duterte`s absence during what is the biggest crisis of his year-old presidency, as the military battles for a sixth week to defeat Islamic State-linked rebels currently occupying Marawi City on his home island of Mindanao.

"First and foremost, he is alive and well, he is very well, he`s just busy doing what he needs to do,", presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella told reporters.

"As you`ve seen he`s been very much in the public eye but being out of the public eye, that is when he is able to do office work, he signs papers, he reads, he consults, he`s actually very busy.

"The thing that is very important to note is that he is on top of every situation, he is aware of what`s happening, he`s updated regularly, he reads, he listens and he`s quite aware. This is just his working style."

The maverick leader was due to meet some cabinet members on Tuesday and attend an event at the Presidential Palace in Manila to mark the end of the Eid al-Fitr Islamic holiday.

Duterte`s absences during June represent the longest periods he has been out of the spotlight. He was last seen on June 20 in two cities close to the violence-torn Marawi, visiting soldiers and evacuees.

That followed a three-day absence after a speech in which he said his health was "immaterial", amid raised eyebrows about his failure to appear in public for Independence Day on June 12.

Duterte`s known ailments include back problems, migraines due to nerve damage after a motorcycle accident and Barrett`s oesophagus, which impacts his throat. He also suffers from Buerger`s disease, caused by his heavy smoking in younger days, which can cause blockages in the blood vessels.

His office has recently said he has been experiencing fatigue. His closest aide, Christopher "Bong" Go, on June 15 posted images on social media of Duterte signing documents and standing in front of a television showing a news bulletin, adding further fuel to rumours that something was wrong.

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said Filipinos should not be concerned.

"The public should not worry," he told DZMM radio. "Our president is healthy."</s>President Rodrigo Duterte is “well and alive,” Malacañang assured the public again on Tuesday, a week after the chief executive last appeared in public.

Speaking to reporters, Palace spokesman Ernesto Abella said Duterte was on top of every situation despite being out of the public eye.

“First and foremost, he is alive and well. He is very well. He is just busy doing what he really needs to do,” Abella said as he explained that Duterte could better accomplish office work in private.

“The President, you know as you’ve seen, is very much in the public eye but being out of the public that does mean he can really do office works. He signs papers, he reads, he consults, he is actually very busy,” he said.

“But the thing that is very important to note is that he is on top of every situation. He is aware of what’s happening. He’s updated regularly. He reads, he views, he listens to these. And he is quite aware. Like we said, this is just his working style,” Abella added.

The President is expected to make his first public appearance in seven days on Tuesday when he leads the celebration of Eid’l Fitr in Malacañang.

Earlier on Tuesday, Duterte will preside over a National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) board meeting and participate in the presentation of a donation for Marawi City.

The 72-year-old Duterte has not been seen since last Tuesday, when he visited wounded troops in a hospital in Cagayan de Oro City. He also visited evacuees in Iligan City earlier that day.

The President’s absence from the public eye has helped fuel speculations that he may be seriously ill.

This is the second time this June that Duterte, known for giving fiery speeches that are aired live, has not been seen by the public for several days.

The President was last seen in public on June 11 when he attended funeral rites for the fallen Marawi soldiers. He skipped Independence Day rites the next day as he was “tired and lacks sleep.”</s>Rodrigo Duterte, the president of the Philippines, has been missing from the public eye almost for the past one week and rumours are doing the rounds that he might be unwell.

The presidential palace, however, declined reports about his ill-health and said Duterte was "just busy with what he really needs to do" and that he was "alive and very well".

Duterte, who has been dubbed "The Punisher" and "Trump of the East", is known for lining up several meetings in a day, having a busy schedule, and giving lengthy speeches – often several times a day. However, the 72-year-old is keeping a low profile in the recent days and this has fuelled rumours that his administration is hiding something about his health.

"First and foremost, he is alive and well, he is very well, he's just busy doing what he needs to do," presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella was quoted as saying by Reuters on Tuesday (27 June). "As you've seen he's been very much in the public eye but being out of the public eye, that is when he is able to do office work, he signs papers, he reads, he consults, he's actually very busy."

The fact that Duterte has been missing in action especially when his country is undergoing some worst clashes between the troops and Islamist insurgents has raised more questions about his absence from work.

Philippine troops are battling local jihadis aligned with the Islamic State (Isis) group in the besieged Marawi City on his home island of Mindanao, located south of the Philippines.

"The thing that is very important to note is that he is on top of every situation, he is aware of what's happening, he's updated regularly, he reads, he listens and he's quite aware. This is just his working style," Abella added.

Duterte - who will complete one year in office on 30 June - was last seen on 20 June in Iligan City, close to Marawi, in Lanao del Sur province. There he had met the soldiers and evacuees.

Since then, he is missing from any public engagements.

Prior to his latest disappearance, Duterte was also missing from 12-17 June, making his absence during June the longest periods he has been out of the public eye.

Abella said the president was "just resting" during those times. But, during one his public appearances, he hinted that his health was "immaterial", Reuters reported.

Duterte is reported to have ailments, including back problem, migraines and Barrett's oesophagus, where the cells of the oesophagus grow abnormally, impacting the throat. He also apparently suffers from Buerger's disease reportedly caused by his heavy smoking habit during his younger days.

The firebrand leader's disappearance during the country's Independence Day on 12 June also raised eyebrows.

Local media reports said that the president was supposed to meet cabinet members on Tuesday (27 June). He was also scheduled to attend an event at the Presidential Palace to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, an Islamic festival marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

 Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar told a local radio that Filipinos should not be concerned.

"The public should not worry. Our president is healthy."</s>PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte is alive and well and experiencing no health problems, the government said on Tuesday, amid concerns about his disappearance from the public eye for unusually long periods this month.

Known for a busy schedule and lengthy speeches often several times a day, the 72-year-old Duterte’s low profile has fuelled rumours he is in declining health and that the government is trying to keep that under wraps. He was last seen in public a week ago.

What has created most intrigue is Duterte’s absence during what is the biggest crisis of his year-old presidency, as the military battles for a sixth week to defeat Islamic State-linked rebels currently occupying Marawi City on his home island of Mindanao.

SEE ALSO: Then and now: Why Duterte’s martial law is nothing like Ferdinand Marcos’

“First and foremost, he is alive and well, he is very well, he’s just busy doing what he needs to do,”, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella told reporters.

“As you’ve seen he’s been very much in the public eye but being out of the public eye, that is when he is able to do office work, he signs papers, he reads, he consults, he’s actually very busy.

“The thing that is very important to note is that he is on top of every situation, he is aware of what’s happening, he’s updated regularly, he reads, he listens and he’s quite aware. This is just his working style.”

The maverick leader was due to meet some cabinet members on Tuesday and attend an event at the Presidential Palace in Manila to mark the end of the Eid al-Fitr Islamic holiday.

Duterte’s absences during June represent the longest periods he has been out of the spotlight. He was last seen on June 20 in two cities close to the violence-torn Marawi, visiting soldiers and evacuees.

That followed a three-day absence after a speech in which he said his health was “immaterial”, amid raised eyebrows about his failure to appear in public for Independence Day on June 12.

SEE ALSO: Can ‘Dutertenomics’ transform the Philippines into an upper-middle income nation?</s>“He is alive and well” was how Malacañang defended on Tuesday the six-day absence of President Rodrigo Duterte from the public’s sight.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the President was busy with work and his absence was not health-related.

He said Duterte was just busy with the things he needs to accomplish.

“He is alive and well. He is very well. He is just busy with what he really needs to do,” he said.

Duterte was last seen in public on June 20 after he visited an evacuation center in Iligan City in Lanao del Sur. After then, the President did not have public engagements.

READ: Duterte in excellent health, just needs rest — Palace

“Being out of the public eye is really when he gets to work… The thing important to know is he is on top of every situation,” Abella said.

Prior to his six-day absence, Duterte had a prolonged absence from June 12 to 17. Abella said Duterte was “just resting” during those times, dismissing claims the President was seriously ill. JE/rga</s>The trip by Leni Robredo to an evacuation center in Balo-i for residents who escaped a month-long conflict in nearby Marawi City adds to speculation about the health of 72-year-old President Rodrigo Duterte, whose absence this month from the public eye is the longest since he took office a year ago.

Known for a packed public schedule and marathon speeches several times a day, Duterte's disappearances during what has been the biggest crisis of his presidency will add to frequent rumors he is in poor health, which his office denies.

Robredo made no mention of Duterte during her visit, when she said she hoped life for the nearly 250,000 people displaced by fighting between troops and rebels allied with the Islamic State group could soon return to normal.

"All of us are hoping that the fighting will soon end so the people can go back to their respective homes," she told reporters. "The government has been doing everything that we can. We can only hope that this will end soon."

Duterte's spokesman did not respond to a request for comment on his lengthy absence.

Salvador Panelo, a longtime friend of Duterte's and his top legal advisor, said the president was as "strong as a bull" and would attend a public event and meet cabinet members on Tuesday.

Duterte was last seen on June 20 in two cities close to Marawi, when he met soldiers and evacuees. That followed a three-day absence after a speech in which he said his health was "immaterial", amid raised eyebrows about his failure to show in public for Independence Day on June 12.

His office has said he has been experiencing fatigue, and his aide Christopher "Bong" Go on June 15 posted images on social media of Duterte signing documents, and standing in front of a television showing a news bulletin.

Fighting resumed in Marawi on Monday, a day after a unilateral truce was declared by the military for eight hours to mark the Eid al-Fitr Islamic holiday and try to rescue civilians trapped in the conflict zone.

Air strikes and gunfights took place early in the day and the military said it believed insurgents from Maute group were flagging after a fifth week of clashes, with infighting among the remaining leaders.

The resilience and the level of organization of the Maute group and its affiliates has caused consternation in the region about the extent to which Islamic State's extremist agenda may have gained traction in the southern Philippines, a region more familiar with banditry and separatism than radical ideology.

Duterte had long warned that it was only a matter of time before there would be an Islamic State contamination.

The battle for Marawi has claimed the lives of 70 servicemen, 27 civilians and 290 militants, according to official figures.

Fleeing residents and some local disaster officials believe many more civilians may have been killed while trapped in areas battered by artillery and air strikes, and infested with Maute snipers. Witnesses have reported seeing bodies in the streets for days, some decomposing.

The military said it was concerned about reports of the possible beheading of hostages, or captives being forced to take up arms against government troops.

Spokesman Jo-Ar Herrera said soldiers were committed to finishing the job and saving residents, 13 of which were rescued on Sunday.

"Our offensive operations have resumed and will continue so we can liberate Marawi in the soonest time possible," he told reporters.

"We are focused and committed and will accomplish our mission."
President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte makes another lengthy absence from any public appearance after missing the Independence Day celebrations earlier in June. Rumors about his health continue to circulate within the minority although government officials deny any issues.