Tovic Salvador

Former president Rodrigo Duterte’s lawyer Salvador Medialdea sits in a wheelchair. Sen. Robin Padilla/Facebook

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<p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) -- Former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, a member of ex-president <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/16/duterte-assembles-defense-team-with-international-law-expert-as-lead-counsel-0009">Rodrigo Duterte’s defense team</a> at the International Criminal Court (ICC), fell ill at the ICC Detention Center on Tuesday.</p><p>In a statement, the <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1087898006710851&amp;id=100064719847748&amp;mibextid=wwXIfr&amp;rdid=Kv8XBfDfdez14KVA#">Philippine Embassy in The Netherlands</a> said Medialdea was scheduled to visit the former president in the morning.</p><p>&quot;While registering at the reception counter at around 8:55 AM, Atty Medialdea fell ill,&quot; they said.</p><p>&quot;An Embassy official, who accompanied him to the Detention Center, immediately called for medical attention, which was provided by a Detention Center medic.&quot;</p><p>Medialdea is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in The Hague, where he is accompanied by a close relative.</p><p>Medialdea was seen sitting in a wheelchair in a Facebook post by Sen. Robin Padilla, who is also in The Hague.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FROBINPADILLA.OFFICIAL%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02qxSodE4uQyNfx6p7S7tYp4f9sNJmrjpVayCRp6eLFkRFe4unrtJEKwkjvoVDo4Vnl&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=500" width="500" height="497" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>A separate video shared by Padilla showed an ambulance outside the ICC premises.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FROBINPADILLA.OFFICIAL%2Fvideos%2F1979573595784219%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=267&amp;t=0" width="267" height="476" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>&quot;I have no information but in general we do not comment on private life matters,&quot; ICC Spokesperson Fadi el Abdallah said of Medialdea’s status.</p><div><strong>WHAT HAPPENED AT DUTERTE&#x27;S INITIAL HEARING</strong></div><p>Last Friday, Duterte failed to attend in person an initial hearing at the International Criminal Court on Friday, as he faces crimes against humanity charges over his deadly crackdown on narcotics.</p><p>The 79-year-old, the first ex-Asian head of state charged by the ICC, followed by video link during a short hearing to inform him of the crimes he is alleged to have committed, as well as his rights as a defendant.</p><p>Medialdea told the court that his client had been &quot;abducted from his country&quot;.</p><p>&quot;He was summarily transported to The Hague. To lawyers it&#x27;s extrajudicial rendition. For less legal minds, it&#x27;s pure and simple kidnapping,&quot; said Medialdea.</p><p>ICC Judge Iulia Antoanella Motoc set a date of September 23 for the next stage of the process: a hearing to confirm the charges. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/18/solgen-on-resignation-calls-after-stepping-aside-in-duterte-icc-case-i-leave-to-the-president-1318">SolGen on resignation calls after stepping aside in Duterte ICC petitions: ‘I leave it to the President’</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/18/duterte-risks-facing-more-charges-due-to-his-supporters-behavior-on-social-media-1414">Duterte may face more trouble after supporters spam ICC judge&#x27;s social media, says lawyer</a></div><p>On Monday, Medialdea said he visited Duterte for the second time inside the ICC detention facility in Scheveningen. </p><p>The former President looks well and was already able to catch up on some sleep, his lawyer said.</p><p>“Okay naman siya,<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/17/former-president-duterte-in-very-high-spirits-inside-icc-detention-facility-medialdea-2337"> he’s in very high spirits</a>... Ano lang siya, naiisip niya ang mga sumusuporta sa kanya, nagpapasalamat siya sa inyong lahat,” Medialdea said.</p><p>“Isa sa medyo namimiss niya yung kanyang usual na kinakain, yung tuyo, yung munggo, at higit sa lahat yung piniritong saging. Yun ang nawawala sa kanya. Other than that, he’s okay, ipagdasal, keep on praying for him,” he continued.</p><div><strong>— With a report from Agence France-Presse; </strong><strong>Zen Hernandez, ABS-CBN News</strong><strong></strong></div>

<p>Former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, a member of ex-president <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/16/duterte-assembles-defense-team-with-international-law-expert-as-lead-counsel-0009">Rodrigo Duterte’s defense team</a> at the International Criminal Court (ICC), fell ill at the ICC Detention Center on Tuesday.</p>

Former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, a member of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte’s defense team at the International Criminal Court (ICC), fell ill at the ICC Detention Center on Tuesday.

Medialdea falls ill while visiting Duterte at ICC detention center

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Medialdea falls ill while visiting Duterte at ICC detention center

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 18, 2025 05:55 PM PHT

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Updated Mar 18, 2025 07:19 PM PHT

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