President Duterte visits Hilongos bomb attack victims
MANILA, Dec. 31 (PNA) — President Rodrigo Duterte arrived in Hilongos, Leyte, on Friday to visit bombing victims after two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) went off in a crowded town plaza last Wednesday.
The President visited the Hilongos District Hospital and provided financial assistance and scholarship to the graduating students who were among the victims of the bombing.
Out of the 33 injured in the explosion, 27 people were treated in the Hilongos District Hospital.
Three more were rushed to the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center in Tacloban City, and another three were brought to the Living Hope Hospital in Maasin City, Southern Leyte.
Two out of three IEDs left by suspected drug gang members exploded at the Hilongos Town Plaza during a live boxing match, which was part of the town fiesta celebration. There were no reported deaths as a result of the blast.
Meanwhile, President Duterte extended his warmest New Year greetings to the Filipino nation hoping that during the holiday the people will demonstrate love, solidarity and optimism towards personal and national aspirations.
As the country transitions to a new year, the President said in his New Year message Saturday that its time for people in government to evaluate their work and make sure that its gains benefit the Filipinos.
“I invite everyone to be our government’s partner in our fight against illegal drugs, criminality and corruption; and in attaining peace and development in our country. Let us work together to enliven our business environment – by attracting more investments and creating more job opportunities for our people – so that in the near future, working abroad would only be an option for our kababayans and not a necessity,” he said.
“Achieving these goals will reclaim order and safety in the community and will enable the administration to restore the public’s trust in government,” he added.
“Let us welcome 2017 with renewed determination and reinvigorated spirit so that we can surmount the challenges ahead,” he said. (PNA)
LGI/PND/RSM
