Rodrigo Duterte Reportedly Denied Asylum in China Before International Criminal Court Arrest
RODRIGO DUTERTE – Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was reportedly denied asylum in China before his arrest by the ICC.
Rodrigo Duterte allegedly sought asylum in China before his arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC), but his request was denied, according to a report from GMA News citing a reliable source.
A 24 Oras report by Maki Pulido on Thursday revealed that Philippine authorities had been preparing for Duterte’s arrest since January under Oplan Tugis, a targeted operation planned by the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG). The operation aimed to enforce the ICC’s arrest warrant for alleged crimes against humanity tied to Duterte’s controversial drug war.
On March 7, Duterte traveled to Hong Kong to attend an event with Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Philippine authorities initially intended to apprehend him there, but the Hong Kong Police Force declined to cooperate with Interpol. Their refusal was based on China’s non-membership in the Rome Statute, the treaty that founded the ICC.
Despite this setback, four CIDG agents stationed in Hong Kong monitored Duterte’s movements. On March 11, Duterte returned to the Philippines, escorted by six members of the Hong Kong Police who ensured he boarded his flight.
According to the same source, Duterte attempted to seek asylum in China while in Hong Kong, but his request was turned down. Reports suggest that Duterte had arranged five separate flight bookings back to the Philippines before ultimately returning on March 11, when he was promptly arrested by CIDG agents under Oplan Tugis.
After his arrest, Duterte was taken to the ICC detention facility in The Hague, where he now faces trial for alleged human rights violations and extrajudicial killings during his presidency.
Meanwhile, Duterte’s family and political allies have denied the asylum claims. Vice President Sara Duterte and former PNP Chief Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa both rejected the reports. Duterte’s former legal counsel, Salvador Panelo, also dismissed the allegations in a statement to the New York Times.
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If may denial o hindi, what’s important is that DoDirty is in ICC custody. He should pay for his crimes against humanity. Old, frail, or feeble. Don’t give in to his old age alibi. He’s still trying yo run as mayor in tge Philippines. You call that sick?