Former President Rodrigo Duterte was in good health both before and after his arrest, according to Major General Nicolas Torre III, Director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
During a panel discussion with the Presidential Communications Office, Department of Justice and the Philippine National Police on Thursday, Torre noted that Duterte was even offered a wheelchair during his arrest, which he allegedly declined.
"Until the end, hanggang sa ngayon, hanggang sa kagabi noong siya ay nireceive ng ICC, he is fine. Actually, bago bumaba sa plane, he made a video na nandyan naman ngayon sa social media, he says that he is fine," Torre said.
Torre also debunked claims that Duterte was deprived of food during his arrest, which supposedly led to Senator Bong Go sending him a pizza.
"Wala pong deprivation at any moment ng kanilang right to food and water. In fact, dinedeliver pa namin e, they are just the one declining nalang dahil sobra namang pagkain talaga e," Torre clarified.
The CIDG Director also reiterated that the former president was not deprived of his medical needs, as several medical professionals were present when the arrest occurred.
"Sa buong time po na nandoon kami sa holding area, mayroon pong mga PNP Doctor, dumating ang kaniyang personal doctor, mayroon pong mga nurses galing sa PNP at dumating din ang chief ng hospital ng Villamor Airbase Hospital," Torre explained.
Torre added that when Duterte wanted to rest, they even offered him a bed where he could sleep. The entire event took place at the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing, or the Presidential Lounge, at Villamor Airbase.
Those present in the lounge included Honeylet Avanceña, his common-law wife; Kitty Duterte; Atty. Salvador Medialdea and his wife; Atty. Martin Delgra; three retired generals and their spouses; and others, Torre recounted.
Torre also addressed accusations that Duterte's lawyer tried to block the process to prevent the former president from boarding the plane bound for the Netherlands. According to Torre, these actions were merely "delaying tactics."
"Another blockade para majustify na hindi siya maisakay sa eroplano — delaying tactics nalang talaga," Torre added.
He emphasized, "There's no deprivation whatsoever of legal counsel, mga medicine, food niya wala po 'yun. Naibigay natin lahat ng 'yon. Yung medical needs niya actually sobra sobra pa."
On Duterte's request to be sent to the hospital
Torre also addressed Duterte's request to be sent to a hospital for a full check-up. Torre insisted, however, that all of Duterte's medical needs had already been met on-site.
"Pati yung ECG machine, ipinasok natin," Torre said.
Torre then posed a rhetorical question to Duterte, "Sir [FPRRD], ngayong araw na 'to, at this point, buong Pilipinas ang dami nang hinuli na mga nagkasala sa batas, naaresto by version of a warrant, warrantless arrest at implementation ng search warrant. Tanungin kita sir, ilan sa kanila ang dinala sa Presidential Lounge? Dinalahan pa ng booking kit kung saan siya ay very comfortable na nakaupo. Kayo lang po sir ang special treatment na ito."
Duterte's arrest
On Tuesday, the former president was arrested at NAIA Terminal 3 after Interpol issued an arrest warrant based on charges filed by the International Criminal Court (ICC). He is facing charges of crimes against humanity which includes murder, torture, and rape, stem from his tenure as president and as mayor of Davao City, where he was allegedly the leader of the Davao Death Squad (DDS).
The 79-year-old former president boarded a chartered flight to The Hague, Netherlands, which left Villamor Air Base in Pasay City around 11 p.m. Tuesday. The flight arrived in Dubai on Wednesday at approximately 8 a.m. for a brief layover, then departed from Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai around 3:58 p.m.
Duterte is now in the custody of the ICC and is staying at the Hague Penitentiary Institution while his case remains ongoing.
