Julia Christine Botin

China 'closely following' Duterte case, urges ICC to prevent politicization

Article (news)

Mao Ning

David Dizon

ABS-CBN News

<div><iframe width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zERcS0-OaLI" title="China urges ICC to &#x27;avoid politicization&#x27; after arrest warrant for Duterte" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><strong>China Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning</strong></div><p>China is closely following the developments in the case of former president Rodrigo Duterte following his arrest at the Manila airport Tuesday and subsequent flight to the International Criminal Court in The Hague where he is facing a complaint for crimes against humanity.</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/11/what-awaits-duterte-icc-detention-center-in-the-hague-0708">What awaits Duterte: ICC detention center in The Hague</a></div><div><iframe width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y2L_YxryOu0" title="As it happened: The arrest of Rodrigo Duterte | ABS-CBN News" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>In a press briefing, China Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning said Duterte’s arrest is an “important sudden incident.”</p><p>“China has noted the news and is closely following how this might develop. I would like to reiterate China’s consistent view that the International Criminal Court should strictly follow the principle of complementarity, exercise its functions and powers prudently in accordance with the law and prevent politicization or double standards,” she told reporters.</p><p>Rumors that Duterte had sought asylum from the Chinese government to evade arrest were debunked Tuesday by the ex-president’s daughter, Vice-President Sara Duterte.</p><p>&quot;Wala. I was in Hong Kong. Wala siyang kausap from the Chinese government,&quot; the vice president told reporters outside the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/11/vp-sara-duterte-denies-ex-pres-rodrigo-duterte-sought-asylum-in-china-2351">https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/11/vp-sara-duterte-denies-ex-pres-rodrigo-duterte-sought-asylum-in-china-2351</a></div><p>Duterte was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, shortly after he arrived in Manila from Hong Kong, on Tuesday morning.</p><p>His arrest was on the basis of a warrant for crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court over his deadly war on drugs.</p><p>Based on reports, Duterte’s war on drugs left at least 6,000 people dead. However, human rights groups reported that the number may have reached 30,000.</p>