MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte ate grilled chicken, duck and eggs with other officials on Monday to help allay fears caused by the country’s first large outbreak of avian flu.

Accompanied by his health and agriculture secretaries and other officials, Duterte traveled to northern Pampanga province and feasted with his bare hands on the poultry, spread on banana leaves in a traditional feast in front of journalists and TV cameras.

“If it’s really your time, it doesn’t matter what you eat,” Duterte told the audience in jest.

“I assure the public that the poultry products…