Press Officer of Malacañang Speaks on Upcoming Birthday of Detained Former PH Pres. Duterte
MALACAÑANG – The Palace told the public to wish former Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte a happy birthday on March 28.
Former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte was unexpectedly arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last March 11. The former Philippine President just arrived from Hong Kong when the Philippine National Police (PNP) arrested him over an arrest warrant released by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Duterte was detained at the Villamor Air Base for several hours before he was flown to The Hague, Netherlands via Dubai. He was accompanied by former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea, his personal assistant, and his nurse to The Hague.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte who immediately flew to The Hague to support her father previously asked about the alleged silence of the Armed Forces of the Philippines during the arrest of former Pres. Duterte. Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero stressed that the AFP was only there to assist the PNP in Duterte’s arrest. He asked about the motive of the Vice President for questioning the silence of the AFP during a “law enforcement operation”.
Former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte is confident that there’s “no case” to begin with at the ICC. Vice Pres. Sara Duterte previously revealed that her father already wants to go home to the Philippines regardless of what awaits him in the country.
Amid the questions and criticisms against Malacañang and Pres. Bongbong Marcos, the Palace previously defended the Chief Executive saying he did not betray anyone but the government only did its job. Marcos Jr. also said that there was a legal process that was followed in the arrest of former Pres. Duterte and the government only acted on the arrest in lieu of its commitment with the Interpol.
Former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte is turning 80 years old this March 28. During his arrest, Senator Bong Go stressed that Duterte already has a lot of illnesses. The former President was detained in the hospital wing of the The Hague Penitentiary Institution for several days before he was released and held under a regular detention.
Recently, Malacañang spoke on the upcoming birthday of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Based on a report on Inquirer, the Palace told the public to wish Duterte a happy birthday. According to Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro, Pres. Marcos has no message yet for the former President who is currently detained in The Hague.
“Ako po may mensahe: Kantahan natin ng ‘Happy Birthday.’ ‘Yun lang po. Kasi birthday po ‘yun eh, kailangan po maging maligaya ang taong nagbi-birthday at wini-wish po natin siya nang happy birthday,” the Malacañang Press Officer said.
Previously, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte said she has no idea yet about the celebration of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s birthday in The Hague as it will be organized by the Filipino community there. The Vice President revealed that her sister, Kitty Duterte, is set to go to The Hague.