Former President Rodrigo Duterte faces the nation via video message before his arrival at The Hague, Netherlands. Screen grab from Facebook video
MANILA, Philippines – Moments before he landed at The Hague, Netherlands on Wednesday (Manila time) evening, former President Rodrigo Duterte addressed his countrymen assuring his good condition and reiterated taking accountability for the past and accepting his destiny.
The plane carrying the former president, a Gulfstream 6550 jet with tail no. RPC2519, landed at the Rotterdam The Hague Airport at around 11:55 p.m. following a refueling stop in Dubai. It left Villamor Air Base in Pasay City around 11 p.m. on Tuesday.
“To my countrymen, just to give you the current situation, I am about to land sa Hague. Galing ako Dubai, stopover. It’s a long haul, it’s a long flight. Okay ako. Do not worry,” he said on video.
Duterte has earlier questioned the nature and validity of his arrest arguing that he was not made aware of the charges filed against him. The former leader was arrested by the International Criminal Police Organization upon the effect of a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court over alleged crimes against humanity during his administration.
The tough-talking former president maintained his willingness to take accountability for his orders and acceptance for what destiny will hold for him.
“I think this has something to do with the law and order noon at sinasabi ko naman sa mga pulis, military na magtrabaho kayo at ako ang managot, so ito na nga,” he said.
“For all of the whatever happened in the past, ako na ‘yung nag front sa ating law enforcement and military sinabi ko na I will protect you. I will. Ako ang managot sa lahat,” he said.
“This will be a long legal proceedings but I say to you I will continue to serve my country. So be it kung ganun ang destiny ko. Salamat,” he said.
According to flight tracker FlightRadar24, Duterte’s flight was monitored by over 30,000 trackers as of 11:56 p.m., making it the most tracked flight worldwide.
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Republika News 
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