Journo cites holes in Duterte sked in Israel; Go says, ‘Tingin ko pinsan ni Alejano’

A journalist in Israel over the weekend observed in a Twitter post that there were "massive holes" in President Rodrigo Duterte's schedule during his visit to the Holy Land.

Journalist Neri Zilber so tweeted amid speculation that Duterte went to Israel to seek medical treatment.

"Filipino Twitter exists and it's amazing. I tweeted about Duterte's visit to Israel - almost everyone believed it's a cover for medical treatment," Zilber said in a tweet on Sunday.

"Dismissed conspiracy theories until I looked at official schedule. Massive holes during the four days," he added.

Filipino Twitter exists & it’s AMAZING. I tweeted about Duterte visit to Israel - almost everyone believed it’s a cover for medical treatment. Dismissed conspiracy theories until I looked at official schedule again. Massive holes during the 4 days: pic.twitter.com/uqdolb22B2

— Neri Zilber (@NeriZilber) September 2, 2018

GMA News' Cedric Castillo in his own tweet said Special Assistant to the President Bong Go compared the foreign journalist to Duterte critic, Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano.

"Tingin ko pinsan ni (Cong.) Alejano yan, pareho sila ng ulo," Castillo quoted Go as saying.

Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s chief aide, Sec. Bong Go, reacts to this tweet by a journalist in Israel: “Tingin ko pinsan ni (Cong.) Alejano yan, pareho sila ng ulo” @gmanews https://t.co/A0B9Yfh2Us

— Cedric Castillo (@cedric_castillo) September 3, 2018

Go said Duterte's visit to Israel did not include seeking medical attention, a claim made by Alejano recently.

“I assure you he is in tip-top condition. He can finish his term up to 2022 and live beyond,” Go said.

“For those who speak or think ill of him, I will just pray for you here in Jerusalem. Jesus is on our side always," he added.

Duterte arrived in Israel early Monday morning, the first Philippine president to visit the Middle Eastern country since diplomatic relations were established in 1957.

Israel saw Duterte's four-day tour as a chance to thank Manila for taking in Jews during the Holocaust and backing the Israeli independence campaign that followed.

Tourism, labor and defense deals were also on the agenda, cementing relationships between the Asian country and Israel, both historical US allies.   —Cedric Castillo and Virgil Lopez/NB, GMA News