Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 16) — President Rodrigo Duterte left Malacañang early on Saturday to fly home to Davao City on the first day of relaxed quarantine restrictions.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque confirmed this to CNN Philippines in a text message. He said Duterte traveled at midnight, but did not elaborate.

Duterte had stayed in Malacañang since March following the outbreak of the coronavirus crisis. He went through self-quarantine after confirmed cases of coronavirus infection among several government officials he had interacted with, but he himself had tested negative for the viral illness.

On the first week of April, Duterte was supposed to return to Davao City to be with his family for Holy Week and for the birthday of his youngest daughter, Kitty Duterte. The Palace did not specify why the President changed his mind, but stressed that he would continue working in Malacañang instead.

During that time, Metro Manila was under enhanced community quarantine, which required most people to stay home, except for frontliners and workers offering essential services. On Saturday, the capital region transitioned to a modified enhanced community quarantine, where more businesses are allowed to reopen but mass transportation remains suspended.

Also under MECQ until the end of May are the provinces of Laguna, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Zambales. Meanwhile, a stricter ECQ is in place in Cebu City and Mandaue City.

Much of the country, including Davao City, is under a more relaxed general community quarantine where adults from age 22 to 59 can go out and public transport resumes subject to social distancing and other safety protocols.

The Philippines now has more than 12,000 coronavirus cases, a number that is expected to rise further amid efforts to expand the country’s diagnostic capacity.

READ: What daily life would be like in areas under modified ECQ, GCQ