Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa claimed on Thursday that the doctor and police escorts who accompanied former President Rodrigo Duterte to The Hague did so without passports or visas.
Speaking at the Senate foreign relations committee’s ongoing inquiry into Duterte’s arrest and transfer to the International Criminal Court (ICC), Dela Rosa expressed outrage over what he saw as serious protocol violations.
“They had no documents, no passports, no visas. What were they supposed to do there, become undocumented migrants?” Dela Rosa remarked. He urged the panel to summon the police and medical personnel involved to clarify the matter.
Senator Imee Marcos, who leads the committee, echoed concerns, noting that the Philippines may have breached Dutch immigration laws by turning over Duterte without properly documented companions. “They violated so many laws, even Amsterdam’s immigration,” she said.
The former president was arrested on March 12 and flown to The Hague, where he is currently detained at Scheveningen Prison. He appeared before the ICC via video link the next day as charges related to extrajudicial killings during his administration’s war on drugs were formally presented.
The confirmation of charges is scheduled for September 23, 2025.