DFA: Embassy visit to Duterte professional, nonintrusive

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora, Philippine News Agency

As to the former President’s health condition, the DFA said the “Philippine Government has no information on such matter, and inquiries about it are best referred to the ICC Spokesperson.” (File Photo: Senate of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Saturday reiterated that the recent visit of officials from the Philippine Embassy in the Netherlands to former president Rodrigo Duterte was made in a “professional, nonintrusive and respectful manner.”

In a statement sent to reporters, the agency cited the International Criminal Court (ICC) as saying that visits at its detention center are “strictly conducted with the approval or at the request of the person in detention.”

“It can be underscored that the consular visit was made by career consular officials of the Embassy in a professional, nonintrusive and respectful manner, and not by any other supposed agents of the government,” the DFA added.

As to the former President’s health condition, the DFA said the “Philippine Government has no information on such matter, and inquiries about it are best referred to the ICC Spokesperson.”

The statement came after Vice President Sara Duterte described the visit as a “sham welfare check” sans permission from the family.

The Vice President also reported that the family received information that the former chief executive had to be subjected to laboratory tests “after being found unconscious on the floor of his room.”

The ICC has yet to respond when asked about the report.

“We never communicate on private life issues. The court puts all necessary measures in place to ensure the protection of physical and psychological wellbeing of all detainees,” the ICC replied to an earlier query about Duterte’s health condition.