Ex-president Duterte arrives in The Hague, now in ICC custody

FOERMER PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has arrived in The Hague, the Netherlands and is now in the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The Philippine Embassy in The Netherlands said the former chief executive arrived at the Rotterdam Airport on board chartered flight RP-C5219 at 4:56 p.m. CET (11:56 p.m., PH Time) Wednesday.

Duterte’s custody was then turned over by his accompanying Philippine law enforcement authorities to officials of the Judicial Cooperation Unit of the ICC Office of Registry.

An ICC nurse, who is part of the reception party, has already talked to Duterte’s personal nurse on his medical condition and requirements.

The ICC nurse, the embassy said, has relayed the information received to the ICC Medical Doctor for the conduct of medical check-up on the former president on arrival at the ICC Detention Center.

The embassy said it provided all necessary consular assistance to Duterte and his delegation, and has also procured and provided them proper winter clothing, change of clothes, and care packages.

Upon the embassy’s representation, former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea was issued a 15-day visa as Duterte’s counsel and has been granted permission to visit the former President on Thursday (local time), at the ICC Detention Center in Scheveningen, The Hague.

The former president’s nurse and aide, meanwhile, are set to return to the Philippines.

The Netherlands’ immigration authorities granted them, including those who escorted Duterte, two-day visas to enable them to rest and recover for their return flight.

Embassy officials earlier called the attention of the ICC officials and Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials on the need to closely attend to and monitor the medical and physical conditions of the former president.

Upon arrangement by the embassy, the ICC officials also handed over to the former president the names and contact numbers of embassy officials who can be reached by mobile phone for any consular assistance that he may need. (Joyce Ann L. Rocamora)