President Rodrigo Duterte has arrived in Guinobatan, Albay to check the damage wrought by Super Typhoon Rolly, based on photos released by his long-time aide, Sen. Bong Go.
A crowd wearing face masks welcomed the president after his helicopter landed. Duterte monitored the onslaught of Rolly from Davao City and was unable to join meetings in Manila on Sunday, at the height of the storm, because he was unable to fly, said the Palace.
MORE ON SUPER TYPHOON ROLLY:
Robredo Goes Live in Bicol, Inspects Typhoon Rolly Damage
WATCH: Drone Video of Super Typhoon Rolly's Damage in Albay
PHOTOS: Rolly Survivors Salvage Cars, Homes After Flood
“Hindi ibig sabihin nasa Mindanao po ang Pangulo ay hindi po siya nagta-trabaho. 24/7 po nagtatrabaho ang ating Pangulo at sinisigurado ng Pangulo na laging handa ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno na magbigay kaagad ng immediate assistance sa mga lugar na maaapektuhan ng bagyo. Gusto ng Pangulo na parati tayong handa,” Go said in a statement.
At least 10 people were killed in the aftermath of Rolly, the world's strongest storm so far this year. It lashed the Bicol and Southern Luzon regions with peak maximum sustained winds of 225 kph, enough to qualify as a super typhoon.