Duterte's lawyer denies asylum reports, Chinese official confirms private visit

Rodrigo Duterte's lawyer, Silvestre Bello III, denied reports that the former president applied for asylum in China.

Bello stated that he accompanied Duterte during his visit to Hong Kong and confirmed there were no attempts by Duterte to seek asylum.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun also refuted claims on Monday, March 24, that it received a request for asylum from Duterte and his family, emphasizing that the former president's trip was a private holiday.

The Marcos administration has not been informed of any such attempt, according to Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro.

On March 7, Duterte went to Hong Kong to attend an event for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), while the International Criminal Court released its warrant arrest against him on the same day.

Duterte was arrested upon his return to the Philippines at Ninoy Aquino International Airport on March 11 after Interpol could not make an arrest in Hong Kong due to China's non-membership in the ICC and Rome Statute.

Guo Jiakun urged media outlets to be careful about publishing information based on unfounded or ill-motivated sources, emphasizing that no asylum application was received by China.