President Rodrigo Duterte lights a candle in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as he visits the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City on August 26, 2019. Alfred Frias, Presidential Photo
MANILA- President Rodrigo Duterte visited the Libingan ng Mga Bayani Monday night after he skipped the National Heroes' Day rites in the same venue earlier in the day.
The President offered prayers and lighted candles in the national cemetery, and spoke with soldiers. Duterte has been known to make late-night visits and inspections.
"Gusto niya mag-visit quietly," Duterte's former longtime aide, Sen. Christopher "Bong" Go, told ABS-CBN News.
(He wanted to visit quietly.)
President Rodrigo Duterte offers a prayer to the fallen heroes as he visits the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City on August 26, 2019. King Rodriguez, Presidential Photo
Earlier in the day, Go said the President skipped the National Heroes' Day rites because he was "indisposed."
"He is indisposed. Seventy-four years old na po si Pangulo at kailangan niya ring magpahinga... Ang dami namin lakad," Go told reporters.
(The President is already 74 years old, he needs to rest. We had many appointments. He is the President, he has many appointments.)
"[He is] not feeling well," he added.
In his National Heroes' Day message, Duterte urged the public to be "everyday heroes who will reach out to those who are in need, especially to the ones who have been neglected by society."