China denies Philippines’ ex-President Duterte sought asylum

KARACHI, March 25 – China on Monday rebuffed reports that Philippines former President Rodrigo Duterte had sought asylum from Beijing before being arrested by the International Criminal Court (ICC) but was allegedly refused.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said: “Chinese government has never received any application for so-called asylum from him (Duterte) and his family,” state-run Xinhua News reported.

The spokesman added that the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong and the Philippines have already responded to Duterte’s visit to Hong Kong, which was a private vacation.

The clarification came amid concern flagged by Duterte’s daughter and Vice President Sarah Duterte that her father could be assassinated if he returns home.

However, the Filipino presidential office dismissed her concern as “baseless.”

Duterte stands trial at the ICC over his alleged crimes against humanity during his so-called war on drugs. He denies the allegations. He was taken into custody earlier this month when he returned from Hong Kong. He was immediately transported to The Hague to face trial.