VP Duterte raises concerns over former President Duterte’s health in ICC detention

Vice President Sara Duterte has expressed concern over the health of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, after he developed bed sores while being held at the International Criminal Court’s detention facility in The Hague.

In an interview conducted on July 30 and released by the Office of the Vice President on Friday, July 31, the Vice President said she personally checked her father’s condition during a recent visit.

She said the sores had already dried after medical personnel at the detention facility treated them.

“He was okay. The sores were already dry because the detention unit had already taken action,” she said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Despite the improvement, the Vice President said the condition remained a concern because of the former president’s age and diabetes, which could increase the risk of complications from wounds.

“As much as possible, we do not want him to sustain any wounds because they could become infected,” she said.

According to Duterte, her father could not explain how the sores developed. He recalled experiencing itching before lumps appeared on his back. “He could not explain why it happened. He only said it started with itching,” she said.

The Vice President said she advised him to use an ice pack to ease the irritation. She also expressed hope that detention authorities would immediately inform the family whenever health problems arise.

Timely communication, she said, would allow family members to offer advice on managing his condition and avoiding possible triggers that could worsen his symptoms.

Despite the concerns, Duterte described her father’s overall condition as stable. “He is okay,” she said.

She added that the former president continues to wear his usual combination of a T-shirt, sweater and jogging pants, regardless of the season, while remaining in ICC custody.