QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- Defense chief Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana is now in stable condition after passing out during the Independence Day rites celebration on Sunday at the Rizal Park in Manila Sunday, led by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

In a statement from the Department of National Defense (DND), Sec. Lorenzana "has been advised to rest."

A post from his official Facebook page, shows a recent photo where the defense chief is doing a thumbs up while in his hospital room.

It added that the defense chief recently arrived from Singapore early Sunday morning after attending the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue and meeting with his foreign counterparts.

“The Secretary also traveled recently to South Korea and other parts of the Philippines, while overseeing the defense operations of the country and the transition to a new administration. His hectic schedule during the last few weeks and the extreme temperatures in Luneta earlier today may have resulted in his fatigue,” the statement reads.

Pres. Duterte, together with officials, foreign dignitaries, and guests observed the 124th Philippine Independence in Manila with this year’s theme, “Kalayaan 2022: Pagsuong sa Hamon ng Panibagong Bukas.” (DND/PIA-NCR)