Philippines’ ex-leader Duterte says he may die in The Hague, asks to be cremated
Sign up now: Get insights on Asia's fast-moving developments
Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte is facing charges of crimes against humanity for his bloody drug war.
PHOTO: AFP
Follow topic:
MANILA – Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte said her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, has told her to have him cremated in The Hague, in the Netherlands, should he die while detained by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity.
“He said that if he dies here in the Netherlands, he doesn’t want his body to be brought back to the Philippines. He just wants to be cremated here, and only his ashes should be brought home,” Ms Duterte told reporters after visiting her father on July 8 at the ICC detention facility in The Hague.
Ms Duterte, however, said she told her father that they will have to discuss it further in the future, as she is “not pro-cremation”, to which Mr Duterte responded that he will think about haunting her as a ghost if she does not abide by his request.
Asked what she felt about her father’s supposed last wishes, Ms Duterte responded that it is only “natural” for his age.
“Well, that’s probably natural for someone who’s 80 years old, right? To think that way,” said Ms Duterte.
“So it’s also a good thing that we all know his last wishes, so that they can be fulfilled when the time comes,” she added.
Ms Duterte previously stated that her father had grown significantly thinner while he was detained at the ICC, but clarified that he appeared to be healthy.
This time, Ms Duterte noted that while Mr Duterte had grown slim, the look suited him better, and that his skin complexion had even improved.
The ICC currently has custody of Mr Duterte after he was arrested and sent to The Hague
His infamous war against drugs
