Rodrigo Duterte was denied asylum in China before his ICC arrest. Philippine authorities had planned his arrest since January, coordinating with Interpol. Despite attempts to apprehend him in Hong Kong, refusal from local police led to plans at NAIA. Duterte was arrested shortly after returning to the Philippines and subsequently transported to The Hague for ICC proceedings.

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was reportedly denied asylum in China prior to his arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC). According to a source familiar with the incident, Philippine authorities had been preparing for Duterte’s apprehension since January, organizing operations under Oplan Tugis led by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG). The plan came to fruition as the ICC issued an arrest warrant against him for murder charges related to his controversial drug war.

On March 7, the same day the ICC issued the warrant, Duterte traveled to Hong Kong for an event involving Overseas Filipino Workers. During this time, the Philippine National Police was closely coordinating with Interpol to facilitate his arrest. The CIDG aimed to detain him in Hong Kong; however, the Hong Kong Police Force refused to cooperate, given China’s non-membership in the Rome Statute.

Duterte’s activities were under surveillance by CIDG agents until his return to the Philippines on March 11. Notably, six members of the Hong Kong police ensured he boarded his flight back. Reports indicate that Duterte had been denied asylum by China and had firm flight bookings returning home. Upon his return, the CIDG engaged in psychological warfare, deploying additional police forces at Davao International Airport in anticipation of difficulties should he land there.

To ensure a smooth arrest process at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), authorities conducted multiple dry runs prior to his flight’s arrival. A strategic plan was executed where authorities instructed air traffic controllers to direct Duterte’s plane to a specific gate, allowing for efficient transportation to Villamor Airbase. Following his arrival, Duterte was swiftly taken aboard a chartered jet headed for The Hague to face the ICC.

Twelve hours after landing in the Philippines, Duterte embarked on a flight to the Netherlands, signaling the initiation of formal proceedings against him by the ICC for the charges lodged against him.

The sequence of events surrounding former President Duterte’s arrest highlights a meticulous plan by Philippine authorities to comply with international legal mandates. His denial of asylum by China and the strategic deployment of police forces demonstrate the seriousness with which the ICC’s warrant was treated. Duterte’s swift transportation to The Hague underscores the urgent nature of the legal consequences he now faces.

Original Source: www.gmanetwork.com

Related posts:

China Warns ICC Against Political Motives in Duterte’s Arrest Vice-President Sara Duterte Confirms No Asylum Sought for Her Father in China Thirteen Filipino Surrogates Convicted of Human Trafficking in Cambodia China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Addresses Key Geopolitical Issues at March Press Conference