THE HAGUE – Former President Rodrigo Duterte requested on March 13 to speak with a consular officer of the Philippine Embassy in The Netherlands.

In a post on its official Facebook page, the Philippine Embassy in The Hague stated it received a call from an International Criminal Court (ICC) Detention Officer at 3:41 PM local time (10:41 PM Manila time) informing the mission of Duterte’s request to speak with a consular officer.

“During the call, the former President conveyed, among others, that he underwent medical check-up and has received medical care and that he is generally fine,” the statement read.

The embassy also stated it made a request to the Registry of the ICC “to facilitate a Consular Visit” to Duterte as soon as possible following his request to assist for “a visit by his legal counsel and family member, respectively.”

“As can be recalled, upon arrangements by the Embassy, ICC officials handed to the former President upon arrival at the Rotterdam-The Hague Airport on Wednesday the names and contact numbers of Embassy officials who can be reached by mobile phone for any consular assistance that he may need,” the statement continued.

The embassy also said Duterte “called and talked to former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea” on March 13. Medialdea is one of his legal counsels.

It wasn’t clear at what time on March 13 did the said call happened. But earlier, at around 1:00 PM local time (8:00 PM Manila time), Medialdea visited the Hague Penitentiary Institution and was “told there is no Rodrigo Duterte in this facility,” citing from the penitentiary’s reception staff.

Asked for comment, ICC spokesperson Fadi El Abdallah said Duterte was at the ICC detention center in Scheveningen.

"He was admitted today following all medical checks. When a suspect arrives in ICC custody, the Court as standard practice takes measures to protect the health and well-being of the suspect," Abdallah said.

(Reports from Andy Peñafuerte, Jay-vee Marasigan Pangan)