Duterte's visit to HK a 'private vacation trip', says Commissioner's Office

Former President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte and his daughter Sara Duterte, the incumbent vice president of the Philippines, visited Hong Kong on a private vacation trip, according to a spokesman of the Commissioner's Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR.

The news came after the political heavyweights were spotted in Hong Kong on Saturday, amid rumors that the former president may choose not to return to the Philippines and seek refuge in China over a potential arrest by the International Criminal Court.

When asked about the Dutertes’ visit to Hong Kong during a press briefing, the office spokesman said the duo’s visit was a private vacation trip, adding that a rally the two had attended in the city had been applied for in advance by the laws and regulations of the SAR.

The Standard has exclusively reported that Rodrigo Duterte was seen on Saturday afternoon at Lee Theatre Plaza in Causeway Bay, accompanied by around 10 people including bodyguards.

According to the Philippines news media, Rodrigo Duterte arrived in Hong Kong on Friday, along with his wife, former first lady Honeylet Avanceña, and the younger daughter, Veronica "Kitty" Duterte.

The ICC is reportedly investigating Duterte for alleged crimes against humanity connected to thousands of deaths during his controversial anti-drug campaign, dating back to his time as Davao City mayor and president.

Duterte has denied accusations of authorizing extrajudicial killings during the illegal drug crackdown.

Rodrigo Duterte and his daughter, Sara Duterte, reportedly made a speech at a Sunday rally that was held at the Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai for the senatorial candidates of their political party ahead of the May 12 midterm elections in the Philippines.

Swamps of Filipino expatriates packed the area around the Stadium, with people holding photos of the former president and some waving the national flags.

In his speech, Duterte touched on news reports about the ICC possibly issuing a warrant for his arrest. "What was my sin?" Duterte asked. "I did everything in my time so Filipinos can have a little peace and tranquility."

"If this is my fate in life, it’s OK, I’ll accept it. I can’t do anything if I get arrested and jailed," said the 79-year-old former president.

According to Filipino senator Bong Go’s Facebook, the gathering was also a thanksgiving event for the country’s overseas workers in Hong Kong.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said earlier that Philippine law enforcement agencies would be bound to fully cooperate if the ICC sought the custody of his predecessor.