MANILA—President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday said he has been taking sleep medication prescribed by his doctor.

"Mga alas-6 pa naglaklak na ako ng Stilnox. I take Stilnox to sleep. Prescribed ‘yan. Tulog ka talaga because Stilnox makatulog ka lang ng 6 hours, parang nag-hit ka ng mga 8 because not even dreams, wala sarado talaga," he said in a speech in Davao City.

Duterte made the announcement during the oath-taking of his son, Sebastian "Baste" Duterte, as Davao City vice mayor.

The President previously acknowledged that he takes pain reliever fentanyl following a motorcycle accident a few years back.

Duterte, 74, has acknowledged battling various ailments, including Barrett's esophagus, which impacts his throat, and Buerger’s disease, caused by heavy smoking in his younger days.

Malacañang has repeatedly said the President's health is not a cause for concern.

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