Malacañan Palace stated on Monday that it does not consider former President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent trip to Hong Kong as an attempt to evade the law or authorities, despite reports that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant against him.

“As of now, we are not thinking nor contemplating about the President evading the law. So, maybe I could not answer as of the moment. It’s kind of hypothetical,” said Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Assistant Secretary Joey Gigantone Castro in a Palace briefing.

She emphasized that there is no indication that Duterte’s overseas trip is part of an attempt to flee the country, despite the ongoing investigation into his alleged role in the war on drugs during his administration.

“We cannot conclude that there is this propensity on the part of former President Duterte that he would escape considering he was the one who asked for this,” Castro noted.

She recalled that Duterte had previously challenged the ICC to investigate him, reinforcing the idea that he is not avoiding legal proceedings.

“He said in the QuadComm hearing that he is ready to face the ICC. He is indeed rushing the ICC. Didn't he say, 'Hurry up!' And he also said, 'Tomorrow, tomorrow is the day if you want to investigate and if you will put me in prison, I would rather rot in jail,'" she added.

“So, my fellow countrymen, you should relax because this was the request of former President Duterte himself,” Castro said.

Duterte traveled to Hong Kong on Friday to attend a gathering with overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and to campaign for his PDP-Laban senatorial candidates ahead of the 2025 elections.

The former president is under investigation by the ICC for alleged crimes against humanity related to the drug war he launched while serving as Mayor of Davao City and later continued during his presidency.