China’s Foreign Ministry has denied reports that former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and his family had applied for asylum in China. According to ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, China has not received any asylum applications from Duterte or his family.
Guo clarified that Duterte’s recent trip to Hong Kong was purely for a personal vacation, dismissing claims that it was related to an asylum request. This statement comes amid speculation that Duterte had sought refuge in China following an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for his arrest.
The ICC warrant, issued on March 7, charges Duterte with crimes against humanity related to the Philippine drug war during his presidency. Duterte was subsequently arrested on March 11 upon his return to the Philippines.
China’s Foreign Ministry has urged the media to exercise caution and verify sources before endorsing such claims. The denial of asylum application is seen as a significant development in the ongoing saga surrounding Duterte’s arrest and potential extradition to The Hague.
