Malacañang 'no info' on alleged Duterte asylum request to China

Malacañang has no information on reports that former President Rodrigo Duterte requested asylum in China before his arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC), Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said Friday.

“Wala po kaming ganoong impormasyon na natanggap. Hindi po iyon ang mga lumalabas na info na dumarating sa Palasyo,” Castro said at a palace briefing.

(We did not receive such information.)

According to Maki Pulido’s 24 Oras report on Thursday, a trusted source said Duterte allegedly requested asylum in China but was rejected.

The source also said Philippine authorities have been preparing for Duterte’s arrest and the implementation of an ICC arrest warrant since January as part of Oplan Tugis laid out by the Philippine National Police - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

Asked what kind of information the Malacañang received, Castro answered: “Na pauwi siya mula sa Hong Kong. ‘Yun lang”.

(We were told he [former president Duterte] is on his way back to the Philippines from Hong Kong.)

On March 7, Duterte flew to Hong Kong to attend an event with Overseas Filipino Workers — the same day when the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber 1 issued the warrant for his arrest.

Duterte was arrested by Philippines authorities on March 11 following his arrival in the country. He boarded a chartered plane en route to The Hague in the Netherlands to face the ICC.

The former Philippine leader was arrested on charges of crimes against humanity in connection with the deaths arising from his campaign against illegal drugs. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News