Sen. Robin Padilla Waits for Clearance to Visit Former Pres. Duterte
ROBIN PADILLA – The Senator explained why he needs to talk to former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte who is currently detained in the detention facility of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands.
The turn of events last March 11 shocked countless Filipinos. Former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte was arrested by the PNP (Philippine National Police) authorities upon his arrival from Hong Kong. The ICC welcomed the arrest of Duterte and the transfer of his custody.
Duterte was “forced” to board a plane to Dubai en route for the Netherlands to face the accusations against him before the International Criminal Court. The ICC has long investigated the war on drugs of the Duterte administration which is linked to deaths.
Last March 15, former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte made his initial appearance before the pre-trial chamber of the ICC. Prior to it, he was able to talk to his daughter, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. The Vice President left the Philippines for the Netherlands last March 12.
According to Vice Pres. Duterte, her father wanted her to go home to the Philippines. Thus, she will just talk to his legal team and wait for another kin to be there so she could return to the country. The Duterte allies spotted in Netherlands were Sen. Robin Padilla and former presidential spokesman Harry Roque.
Robin Padilla is the president of the PDP-Laban, the political party in which former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte is the chairman. Based on a report on GMA News, the Senator revealed that he has requested the ICC for a clearance to visit former Pres. Duterte as he needs to talk to him.
“Nasa kalagitnaan po tayo ng eleksyon, ng kampanya. Dapat po nakakausap ko yung chairman ko kung ano po ang plano,” Padilla said.
Based on the report, Sen. Robin Padilla is expecting a response today regarding his request to visit former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte in the ICC detention facility in the Hague. According to him, there is a ground for a visit in the case of a political ally of a detainee.
However, reportedly, Padilla was seen leaving the area a few minutes after the interview. It is not clear if the ICC granted the request of the Senator or not. With regards to former presidential spokesman Harry Roque, he confirmed his application for asylum in the Netherlands although he won’t be part of Duterte’s legal team.