Malacañang confirms gov't paid for Rodrigo Duterte's flight to ICC
Malacañang confirmed that the Philippine government paid for former Rodrigo Duterte’s flight to The Hague, Netherlands, saying that it was part of their commitment to Interpol.
"Opo, ina-admit po, na ang Palasyo po ang nagbayad, ang gobyerno po. Ito po ay may kaugnayan sa assistance po na ibinigay natin sa Interpol,” Presidential Communications Office undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said during the press briefing on Friday, March 14.
"Kapag hiningi po ang assistance, siyempre po dapat kumpleto po, dahil kung wala naman po na ipo-provide na sasakyan para madala po ang dating pangulo sa ICC, e parang hindi rin po naging kumpleto ang pagtugon natin sa ating commitment to the Interpol," she added.
Castro, however, did not mention the amount that was spent for Duterte’s flight.
“Wala po tayong kumpletong detalye about that. Hindi ko agad masasabi, kung mayroon man po ah, dahil mayroon pong kaugnayan ito sa pribadong korporasiyon,” she added.
Duterte boarded the Gulfstream G550 plane on the late night of March 11 following his arrest. He arrived at Rotterdam-The Hague Airport on March 12 and is now under the custody of the International Criminal Court.
Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co has belied rumors that he owns the Lear jet that ferried Duterte to the Netherlands.
“I would like to stress that I do not own the RP-C5219 Gulfstream G550 aircraft… Social media posts linking me to this aircraft are completely untrue,” Co said in a statement.
The former president was arrested for his alleged crimes against humanity for the deadly war on drugs campaign during his presidency and tenure as Davao mayor.
Duterte could be the first Asian former head of state to be indicted by the ICC.
He is set to make an initial appearance before the ICC on March 14 at 9 p.m.
Judges would verify his identity and the language in which he would be able to follow the proceedings. He will be informed of the charges against him and of his rights under the ICC Rome Statute.
Following this appearance, a confirmation of charges hearing will follow, during which the judges will decide whether the prosecution has presented enough evidence for the case to go to trial.
If the charges are confirmed, it could be months before the case eventually goes on trial, and years before a final judgment is rendered. (With reports from Helen M. Flores)
