Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers a joint statement with Indonesian President Joko Widodo at Malacanang Palace in Manila, Philippines, Jan 10, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

MANILA - Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr drew flak on social media for his use of a presidential helicopter to attend a concert by British rock band Coldplay in a province north of the capital, Manila.

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The Philippine Arena, the world's largest indoor arena, saw an influx of 40,000 concert-goers resulting in "unforeseen traffic complications along the route”, the Presidential Security Group said in a statement.

The traffic situation posed a security threat to Marcos who attended the Friday night concert with his wife, prompting the use of the presidential chopper, it (the Presidential Security Group) added

The traffic situation posed a security threat to Marcos who attended the Friday night concert with his wife, prompting the use of the presidential chopper, it added.

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But social media users criticized the use of taxpayer money by Marcos, the son, and namesake of the late strongman president whose rule ended nearly four decades ago in a historic "people power" revolution.

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"Using official resources, like the presidential chopper, for personal and non-official activities is generally considered an abuse of power or misuse of government resources”, Facebook user James Patrick Aristorenas said in a post on Saturday.

"We paid for the use of the chopper, fuel, and security, who knows even for the tickets for everyone”, Facebook user Arvine Concepcion said.