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Duterte, in Pain After Motorbike Fall, Cuts Japan Trip Short

Duterte, in Pain After Motorbike Fall, Cuts Japan Trip Short

(Bloomberg) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will cut short his trip to Japan due to “unbearable pain in his spinal column near the pelvic bone” following a motorcycle accident last week, his spokesman said.

Duterte, who attended Emperor Naruhito’s enthronement ceremony, will return to the Philippines Tuesday evening and see his neurologist on Wednesday, spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

Duterte, in Pain After Motorbike Fall, Cuts Japan Trip Short

“The public can be rest assured that there is nothing to worry as regards the physical health and condition of the President,” Panelo said. Duterte used a cane to help him walk during his Japan trip, he said.

The 74-year-old leader earlier this month said he has a muscle disease that makes his eyelid droop. He was also seen last week wearing an air purifier on his neck to protect him from colds and cough.

Duterte, who took office in June 2016, has also earlier said that he has daily migraine and spinal issues, in addition to an illness affecting the blood vessels called Buerger’s disease caused by smoking, and an inflammation of the tube connecting the mouth to the stomach.

--With assistance from Clarissa Batino and Ditas Lopez.

To contact the reporter on this story: Andreo Calonzo in Manila at acalonzo1@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Cecilia Yap at cyap19@bloomberg.net

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