MANILA, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's spokesman on Thursday said the 74-year-old Philippine leader who was injured in a minor motorcycle accident was safe and resting.

"I would like to assure the nation that the president is safe, in good hands and in good health," the Philippine Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo told reporters.

Panelo said the president "roamed around with his motorcycle" on Wednesday night. The accident happened when Duterte has already parked his motorcycle at the compound of the presidential security group, he added.

"The president was reaching for his shoe when he fell off his motorcycle that resulted in a minor injury, particularly light bruises and slight scratches to his elbow and knee," Panelo said.

Panelo said Duterte was resting in his official residence.

"Again, we assure our people that the president is fine, and his recovery entails no major medical procedure," he said. "There's nothing to worry about."

Before Duterte was elected as the Philippine president in 2016, he was mayor of Davao City of the southern Philippines.

Then mayor Duterte used to patrol in the streets of Davao City with a motorbike at night.