Duterte Orders Airplane to Transport Him to Manila despite the Dangers of Flying on Monday Morning

President Rodrigo Duterte had issued a public apology after failing to hurriedly return to Manila after the Taal Volcano started erupting causing havoc to nearby towns and cities last Sunday. The Taal volcano threatens nearby areas for a larger and worse eruption.


Duterte had spoken to the government leaders of Batangas City. He also said that he wanted to fly to Manila from Davao since the evening of Sunday.

"I’m sorry I was not around. I was in Davao but I was preparing to leave that night. When I was informed that I could not make it because of the ash. So at early morning, I insisted that I have to be here because there’s a crisis at pinilit ko yung eroplano.
" - Duterte 

He stated in his statement that he was sorry for failing to be present in Manila the sooner. He shared that during the evening of the day the threats of Taal Volcano were known to him, he was already packing up and readying to go to Manila. However, his arrival in Manila was delayed because of the threats the ash fall posed for travelers.

He shared that on Monday morning, he insisted that he’d be brought to Manila on that day. His request was granted and the airline made it work by wetting the runway.


On Monday morning, President Rodrigo Duterte arrived in Manila. Despite the threats the ash fall creates for President Duterte’s health and safety, he announced that he will be visiting the places that were affected by the Taal Volcano eruption. The president even cursed the Taal Volcano for causing such devastation to the residents in nearby towns and cities.

According to the president’s spokesperson Salvador Panelo, while he was in Davao, the president had ordered to keep the people residing near Taal Volcano out of dangerous zones.

The classes and work in the government were suspended in multiple places in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon due to the threats the ash fall from Taal Volcano make.