A dramatic turn of events unfolded today as the plane carrying former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, was delayed, according to flight tracking website FlightRadar24. The aircraft, initially scheduled to land at Rotterdam Airport around 6:00 AM GMT, was still in Dubai, leaving its expected arrival time uncertain.
Reuters reported that the original itinerary had the plane touching down at the scheduled time, but the latest updates from FlightRadar24 indicated a significant delay. The uncertainty surrounding the flight’s status has sparked intense interest, given the high-profile nature of its passenger.
Meanwhile, Philippine news outlet ABS-CBN released images of the 79-year-old Duterte receiving medical attention during a layover in Dubai. The photos showed a team of medical personnel, including a police doctor, tending to Duterte as he lay on a bed onboard the plane. This development has raised concerns about the former president’s health, especially in light of his advanced age.
Duterte’s potential appearance at the ICC marks a historic moment, as he may become the first Asian leader to face trial at the international court. The ICC issued a warrant for his arrest on charges of crimes against humanity stemming from his war on drugs, which resulted in the deaths of at least 6,000 people between 2016 and 2022. Human rights groups, however, estimate the death toll to be as high as 20,000.
In a related development, Salvador Panelo, Duterte’s former chief legal counsel, revealed that Veronica Duterte, the former president’s youngest daughter, plans to file a petition with the Philippine Supreme Court to compel the government to bring her father back to the country. This move comes after Duterte was taken into custody by Philippine authorities upon his arrival at Manila’s airport, following a trip to Hong Kong.
As the situation continues to unfold, the world watches with bated breath, awaiting the outcome of this unprecedented event. The implications of Duterte’s potential trial at the ICC are far-reaching, with potential consequences not only for the former president but also for the Philippine government and the global community at large.
Key Developments:
- Duterte’s flight to the ICC delayed, with the plane still in Dubai as of the latest update
- Former president receives medical attention during layover in Dubai, sparking concerns about his health
- Potential trial at the ICC would make Duterte the first Asian leader to face charges of crimes against humanity
- Death toll from Duterte’s war on drugs estimated to be between 6,000 and 20,000
- Veronica Duterte plans to file petition to bring her father back to the Philippines