A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson refuted recent media reports claiming that former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte sought asylum in China. Guo Jiakun stated that no asylum application has ever been received from Duterte or his family, dismissing the allegations as unverified.
The remarks came in response to reports citing "informed sources" ahead of legal proceedings tied to an International Criminal Court warrant related to Duterte's war on drugs campaign. Guo emphasized that such claims are either fabricated or driven by ulterior motives, urging the media to verify sources before publishing.
Clarifying further, Guo noted that Duterte's recent visit to Hong Kong was strictly a private vacation. In addition, the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has provided an official response, with relevant Philippine parties also weighing in on the matter.
Duterte was detained on March 11 upon his return to Manila from abroad, as international legal scrutiny continues. The Chinese Foreign Ministry remains committed to ensuring transparent communication and cautions against the spread of unverified information.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
