Where is Duterte? Medialdea says former president not in ICC detention centre

A composite photo of Salvador Medialdea (right) and former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte.

Former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea has raised concerns over the whereabouts of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte after the latter was taken into custody by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Wednesday (March 12). Medialdea traveled with Duterte on the same plane to Rotterdam in the Netherlands, and the former president was later taken to The Hague. Medialdea said he attempted to visit Duterte at the ICC Detention Centre in Scheveningen, but that he has not been able to confirm the former leader’s location. Speaking to reporters, Medialdea claimed that ICC officials have not provided details on where Duterte was taken after his arrest. “Before we deplaned, we had a meeting with the ICC. I requested that the former president be brought directly to a hospital because of his bad medical condition. It was almost a 24-hour flight. He just came from Hong Kong, was not allowed to visit his home, and not even allowed to see a doctor or a hospital before being transported here,” Medialdea said. According to Medialdea, ICC authorities assured them that Duterte would be brought to a hospital for medical attention. However, he said they have yet to receive information on which hospital he was taken to. “I asked for the name of the hospital, but up to now, they have not given us the name. So we took the position that he could have been brought here (ICC detention centre) directly, but we were told there is no President Duterte inside the facility,” he said.

‘We are at a loss’

Medialdea expressed frustration over the situation, alleging that Duterte may have been taken to an unknown destination. “We are at a loss at this time. Lokohan na ‘to (this is a joke). I think this is part of their grand plan to kidnap the president, to extract him from the Philippines and bring him to an unknown location,” he said. He also claimed that he was forced to board the same plane that transported Duterte, “without any valid reason.” When asked if Duterte could be in a hospital, Medialdea said he hopes that is the case, but “not in this facility.” He also confirmed that no one, including Duterte’s family members, has had contact with him. “He doesn’t even have his medicines with him. We gave them his medical records, and they assured us he would be well taken care of. They also promised to inform us immediately about the name of the hospital, but until now, there’s no update. It’s saddening that they are doing this,” he said. Medialdea said they are now pressing the ICC for answers, particularly since a family member is waiting to see Duterte. “We are going back to the ICC to ask where he is right now because a family member is waiting here to see him,” he said. Vice President Sara Duterte, Duterte’s daughter, is also seeking to visit him. However, Medialdea said that arrangements for the visit remain uncertain. “She is waiting, and I presume the president wants to see a member of his family,” he said. As for his own visit, Medialdea said he has been prevented from seeing Duterte. “I am one of the counsel, and they don’t even recognize my appearance here,” he said. When asked about the ICC’s response to his request to visit Duterte, Medialdea said, “Again, they said there is no prisoner here." He added that he is being asked to leave the premises. “Aalis ako dito. Pinapaalis nga kami eh (I will leave. They are making us leave),” he said. Duterte was taken into custody by the ICC in connection with an ongoing investigation into alleged human rights violations during his administration’s controversial war on drugs. The ICC has yet to release an official statement regarding his whereabouts. ICA/CAM/Expat Media