MANILA, Philippines—Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo rode a jeepney early Friday after he was challenged by militant groups to take public transportation on his way to Malacañang.

LOOK: Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo shares photos of him riding a jeepney this morning as he takes on the challenge to commute to Malacañang. 📸Sec. Panelo. @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/sbm2QanULF — Darryl John Esguerra (@DJEsguerraINQ) October 10, 2019

Wearing white polo and cap, Panelo took selfies of his commute and shared them with the media.

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A netizen spotted Panelo waiting for a jeepney at Concepcion in Marikina City around 7 a.m.

GOOD MORNING AYAN MAGCOMMUTE KA!!!! Kinausap niya pa ako.

Panelo: Araw araw ka nagcocommute iha?

Me: Wala naman akong choice. Overheard:

Police: Taxi sir?

Panelo: Hindi. Jeep lang hanggang Sta. Mesa.#PaneloCommutes Good luck kung papasakayin ka pic.twitter.com/avdrNPPC9e — Rya Ducusin (@RyaDucusin) October 10, 2019 ADVERTISEMENT

The netizen, who also took a selfie with the Palace official, said she overheard Panelo’s conversation with a policeman if he wanted a taxi.

“Hindi, jeep lang hanggang Sta. Mesa (No, just a jeepney to Sta. Mesa, Manila),” Panelo replied.

Panelo shared with the media another photo of him past 7 a.m. saying he is on his third jeepney ride and will hold a press briefing in Malacañang at 11 a.m.

Another netizen who chanced upon Panelo said he doesn’t have any security detail in his commute to Malacañang.

kasabay ko sa jeep ngayon si Panelo. in fairness to him, walang bodyguards. commute kung commute. sabi nya, around 5:15 sya nagsimulang bumyahe. until now WALA PA SYA SA MALACANANG! pic.twitter.com/SbmRw4pcjI — Erika Pelipel (@erikapels) October 10, 2019

Panelo recently drew flak for denying Bayan Secretary-General Renato Reyes Jr.’s claim that a “mass transport crisis” is gripping Metro Manila as all of its three railways suffered glitches last week.

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