THE HAGUE — The International Criminal Court, also called the ICC, said they are doing everything necessary to take care of the health of the people being held in their jail. But they refused to talk about what’s really going on with former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who is now under their custody.
A spokesperson for the ICC, Fadi el Abdallah, gave a statement after being asked by GMA Integrated News about Duterte’s current condition.
“The ICC does everything it can to take care of the health and well-being of the people inside our detention center,” el Abdallah said.
“But we won’t say anything more because we want to respect their privacy.”
What People Are Saying About Duterte’s Condition
The concern started when Duterte’s former wife, Elizabeth Zimmerman, visited him recently and said he looked like “skin and bones” — which means he looked very thin and weak, like someone who hasn’t eaten well for a long time.
Then their daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, talked to reporters on July 8 to share what she knew. She said that while her father looks sick, the medical officer (the doctor checking on him) hasn’t said anything serious or alarming.
“He just looks sick. But we were told there’s nothing really wrong with him,” she explained.
“I think he lost weight because he’s probably not eating much. First, he’s not used to the food there. Second, the doctor might be limiting what he eats because he has diabetes.”
(Diabetes is a health condition where people have to be careful with what they eat, especially sugar.)
What Happens Next?
The ICC is preparing to decide whether to confirm the charges against Duterte. That decision is scheduled for September 23, 2025.
For now, many people are wondering how he’s really doing — but the ICC won’t say more. And with his family saying he’s lost weight, the public is left with more questions than answers about the former president’s health.
