Duterte waiting for Sara, other scenes before flight to The Hague

Emotions were high at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City on Tuesday evening in the final hours before former President Rodrigo Duterte was flown out of the country en route to The Netherlands to face his pre-trial for crimes against humanity.

According to Ian Cruz's report Wednesday on 24 Oras, Duterte's family and allies at the airbase appealed to the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) to consider his health condition.

"Buhay ito, sir (We are talking about a life here, sir)," Duterte's former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea told PNP-CIDG chief Police Major General Nicolas.

"Patay 'to, sinasabi ko sa inyo (I'm telling you, he will die)," Medialdea added.

Duterte's camp had asserted that the 79-year-old former president was already facing several health concerns.

However, Torre responded that their actions were part of a police operation.

At around 8 p.m., tensions further rose at the airbase as Duterte's family expressed their anger towards the arresting authorities.

Honeylet Avanceña, the former Chief Executive's common-law partner, shouted at one point: "Ibalik niyo ang anak ko, ibalik niyo ang anak ko (Bring back my daughter, bring back my daughter)."

It was not immediately clear what prompted Honeylet to make the remark.

Kitty Duterte, Honeylet's daughter with the Rodrigo, was not able to control her emotions.

"'Yun ba gagawin sa 'di makalakad? Gagawin sa presidente niyo?" she shouted as she was seen in the report being restrained by a man.

(Is that how you treat someone who cannot walk? Is that how you will treat your president?)

Meanwhile, the elder Duterte told people in the area that they should not be surprised with Honeylet and Kitty's actions.

"'Yung mga ganoong reaksyon, expected niyo 'yan kasi pamilya (Those reactions are expected because they are family)," he said.

Although Torre was already convincing Duterte to come with authorities, the former president said he wanted to wait for his eldest daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, to arrive.

"May hinihintay ako na anak. Ang anak ko pupunta dito (I'm waiting for one of my children. She will arrive here soon)," said Duterte.

However, Torre told Duterte that the Vice President will not be allowed to enter the airbase upon his orders.

"Ang sabi ko, ang abogado ko ang anak ko na babae (I've been telling you that my daughter is my lawyer)," Duterte answered.

Torre replied, "They can visit you at the detention center, sir."

Miranda rights

The tensions continued as Medialdea tried to block the arresting officers from reaching Duterte.

"Bitawan mo ako. Bitawan mo lang ako. Aalis ako, bitawan mo ako!" the former executive secretary exclaimed.

(Get your hands off me. I will go away, just leave me alone!)

However, Torre responded by reciting Medialdea's Miranda rights: "You have the right to remain silent. Everything you say can be used against you in the court of law… Do you understand, sir? You are under arrest for obstruction of justice."

Medialdea sarcastically told the law enforcers to put handcuffs on him.

At around 9 p.m., a coaster of the PNP brought Duterte to a waiting private jet. However, his family was not able to come with him.

"Hindi ba puwedeng makausap lang saglit ang asawa ko (Can't I just talk to my husband even just for a short while?)" said Avanceña.

Aside from Medialdea, Duterte was also accompanied by a nurse and a personal assistant onboard the aircraft.

The private jet took off at 11:03 p.m. from Villamor Airbase en route to Dubai, United Arab Emirates for layover. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/ VDV, GMA Integrated News