Dela Rosa denies rumor on Duterte seeking asylum in China
MANILA, Philippines — Former President Rodrigo Duterte did not go to Hong Kong—an administrative region of China–to seek international protection from President Xi Jin Ping amid the reported issuance of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against him.
This was disclosed by Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa in a phone patch interview on Wednesday, debunking circulating claims that Duterte went to Hong Kong last March 7 to seek asylum, but was denied by Xi.
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“Sinong gumawa ng istorya na ‘yan? Sinong gumawa? That’s a total lie! Fake news ’yan! Pagod na nga ’yung tao, pinilit lang niyang bumiyahe dahil nga concerned siya sa aming partido, ’yung slate namin na kanyang maikampanya do’n sa Hong Kong, doon sa mga OFW,” said Dela Rosa.
(Who created that story? Who created that? That’s a total lie! That’s fake news! The person is already tired, he forced himself to travel because he’s concerned about our party, our slate, so that he could campaign us there in Hong Kong, in front of the OFWs.)
The former President flew to Hong Kong’s Wan Chai district, supposedly for an overseas leg of the PDP-Laban’s election campaign for its senatorial candidates.
“Anong Xi Jin Ping-Xi Jin Ping na ’yan na k’wan? Wala ’yan. Very far-fetched ’yan at saka total lie ’yang akusasyon na ’yan. Pumunta siya do’n para tumulong sa mga kandidato para maikampanya niya. Kahit na pagod na nga siya, hindi siya dapat nag-biyahe pero pinilit niyang bumiyahe para tumulong lang sa aming lineup,” Dela Rosa added.
(What do you mean Xi Jin Ping? That’s nonsense. That’s very farfetched and that’s a total lie. He went there to help us candidates even though he is tired.)
Duterte was served an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court upon arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from Hong Kong on March 11.
The arrest warrant was issued on the grounds of alleged crimes against humanity he committed for the brutal drug campaign he orchestrated during his presidency from 2016 to 2022.
