MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday explained why he cancelled his jet ski ride to the Philippine Rise (Benham Rise).

• Duterte might ride jet ski on Benham Rise

"Sabi ng Navy na magpunta ako doon, ‘di kami makauwi ng two days. Eh kung mag-jet ski ako, sabi ko wala namang gasolinahan diyan. T*** i** maubusan ng gasolina. Saan? Wala namang Petron o Caltex o Shell o [Exxon?]," Duterte said.

"Saan ako kukuha ng gasolina? Pati ang binigay doon sa kanila ‘yung jet ski, ang akin ‘yung bangka lang. Naubusan… Maraming magagandang lalaki, gusto nilang may bangka isa, ‘yung motorized bangka ‘yun."

Instead, his son Sebastian and aide Christopher “Bong” Go on Tuesday boarded jet skis off the coast of Aurora.

• No jet ski ride, Benham trip for Duterte

The initial plan was for Duterte to ride a jet ski, but Presidential Security Group chief Lope Dagoy said the President was advised against it.

“We advised him against it because it was too hot. It was not good for his health,” Dagoy said.

During the campaign for the 2016 elections, Duterte promised to ride a jet ski to the Spratlys archipelago in South China Sea and plant a Philippine flag there to assert the country's sovereignty.

• Duterte wants to be a hero in dispute vs China

He would later take back this plan, saying he does not want to offend China, which has several artificial islands in the Spratlys.

• Duterte won't plant PH flag in Kalayaan because of China friendship