ICC: Rodrigo Duterte being held at detention center in Scheveningen

Former President Rodrigo Duterte. PHOTO: Official Facebook page of Rody Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — Former President Rodrigo Duterte is being held at the International Criminal Court (ICC) detention center in Scheveningen, The Hague, Netherlands, the court’s spokesperson Fadi El Abdalla said.

“Mr. Duterte is under ICC custody at the ICC detention centre in Scheveningen. He was admitted today following all medical checks,” El Abdalla said in a statement sent to reporters at 10:08 p.m. Manila time.

El Abdalla also assured the public that it is part of the ICC’s standard practice to take measures to protect the health and well-being of a suspect arriving in ICC custody.

The court official also said that the schedule of Duterte’s first appearance before the ICC would soon be announced.

“We recall the importance of respecting the integrity of the judicial process,” he added.

The ICC spokesperson released the statement shortly after Former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea claimed that he and Duterte’s camp have no information about the whereabouts of the former president.

The ICC has taken custody of the elder Duterte after he was arrested and sent to The Hague for crimes against humanity he allegedly committed during his administration’s war against drugs.

READ: ICC cites reasonable grounds in issuing arrest order for Duterte

The drug war reportedly left at least 6,000 people dead, but human rights groups reported at least 20,000 people were killed.

READ: Duterte admits responsibility as ICC detains him