Former President Rodrigo Duterte flew to Hong Kong on Friday morning triggering speculation on social media he was evading an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest order over a pending crime against humanity complaint.

There was no indication, however, of Duterte’s purpose for visiting the Chinese territory.

Sources close to Duterte said he was accompanied by his common-law wife, Honeylet Avanceña, daughter Victoria “Kitty,” former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea and some personal security personnel.

Duterte’s group left from Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on board Cathay Pacific flight CX912 at 8 a.m. on 7 March.

An airport source said Duterte and his companions passed through the normal immigration clearance procedure and final security check.

Speculations that swirled yesterday included one that said Duterte may not return to the country due to the ICC arrest warrant against him, as hinted at by retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio.

With the group was Nelson Quinsay, former Philippine National Police (PNP) intelligence director whom Duterte appointed an assistant secretary in the Department of the Interior and Local Government. Quinsay was with his wife.

Another former PNP official, Filmore Escobal, his wife, and former National Intelligence Coordinating Agency director-general Alex Paul Monteagudo were with the group.

Earlier on Thursday, Duterte flew to Manila from Davao on PAL flight PR 2829 and went to a residence on 32nd Street in BGC.

Not about ICC?

Speculations that swirled yesterday included one that said Duterte may not return to the country due to the ICC arrest warrant against him, as hinted at by retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio.

A political observer said the lack of transparency about the trip has fueled curiosity and debate, particularly given its timing.

However, former chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo, speaking on Duterte’s behalf, denied the trip was linked to the ICC.

Duterte had made multiple trips to Hong Kong during and after his presidency, which were described as private or personal.

For instance, in April 2018, he went to Hong Kong after attending the Boao Forum for Asia in China. He met with the Filipino community there and issued a public apology for the 2010 Manila hostage crisis that resulted in the deaths of eight Hong Kong tourists.

Other trips, such as one in October 2018 and another in February 2019 to celebrate Avanceña’s birthday, were similarly unannounced and framed as personal breaks. These precedents suggest that his latest trip could be for personal reasons.