Medialdea ‘fell ill,’ taken to hospital – PH embassy

FALLEN ILL. Former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea on a wheelchair after he reportedly fell ill while visiting former president Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court detention center in the Netherlands on Tuesday (March 18, 2025). Medialdea is in the Netherlands to assist Duterte in facing the charges against him before the ICC. (Photo: Robin Padilla/Facebook)

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – Former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea is receiving medical treatment at a Dutch hospital after he “fell ill” while visiting former president Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court (ICC) detention center, the Philippine Embassy in the Netherlands said Tuesday.

In an update, the embassy said a close relative of Medialdea is at the hospital with him.

Medialdea went to the ICC detention center early morning on March 18 (Central European Time) for a scheduled visit to Duterte.

He reportedly fell ill while registering at the reception counter at around 8:55 a.m., prompting an embassy official who was accompanying him to call for medical attention.

An ICC detention center medic attended to Medialdea and an ambulance brought him to a “Hague area hospital” where he is currently receiving treatment, the Philippine Embassy said.

Medialdea, one of Duterte’s legal counsels in the ICC trial, was present when the former Philippine leader made his first appearance before the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber.

Medialdea accompanied Duterte when the latter was arrested and transported straight from the Philippines to the Netherlands last week.