- Photo from Senator Robin Padilla
MANILA: Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s lead counsel and former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea was rushed to hospital in The Hague on Tuesday (March 18) (Manila time).
Senator Robin Padilla, who made the update in his Facebook page, shared a photo of Medialdea in a wheelchair.
Medialdea’s condition is not yet clear but Padilla is asking prayers for his recovery.
Padilla is in the Netherlands where the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) headquarters is located.
Duterte is being held in the ICC for alleged crimes against humanity over the war on drugs during his term.
Duterte appointed Medialdea as one his counsels in the ICC proceedings.
- Photo from Senator Robin Padilla
ICC spokesperson Fadi El Abdallah said he has no information on the development.
“I have no information but in general we do not comment on private life matters,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
On March 11, Duterte was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and was held at the Villamor Air Base before being flown to the Hague along with Medialdea.
Duterte had his pre-trial hearing on March 14, while his confirmation of charges will be held on September 23, before which he could appeal for an interim release.
At least 6,000 were killed during the war on drugs during Duterte’s term, according to official government data.
But human rights watchdogs and the ICC prosecutor estimated the death toll to be between 12,000 and 30,000 from 2016 to 2019. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
