Veteran journalist Arnold Clavio has refuted Senator Bong Go’s statement that former President Rodrigo Duterte was barefoot when he was taken into custody and flown to The Hague, Netherlands to face charges before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
During a prayer rally organized by PDP-Laban at Liwasang Bonifacio on March 15, Go emotionally recounted Duterte’s arrest, claiming the former president was not even wearing slippers when he boarded the plane.
“Alam n’yo ba wala siyang tsinelas? Pati tsinelas, pati tsinelas niya wala. Nakapaa,” Go said, citing information from Atty. Salvador Medialdea, Duterte’s former executive secretary and now his legal counsel.
However, Clavio took to social media to challenge Go’s narrative. In an Instagram post, the broadcaster shared a photo of Duterte inside the aircraft, where he was clearly seen wearing rubber shoes, sitting alongside Medialdea.
“NAKA-RUBBER SHOES SIYA! Mr. Senator,” Clavio wrote, adding hashtags #LabanAnangFakeNews and #FakeNews to highlight what he claims to be misinformation surrounding Duterte’s arrest.
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Apart from the claim about Duterte being barefoot, Go also alleged that ICC authorities have been withholding the former president’s medication, which he says could explain Duterte’s weakened state during the pre-trial hearing.
“Dalawang dahilan – maaaring nag-a-adjust siya sa oras at ang pinakamasakit sa lahat, ‘yong sinabi sa akin ni Atty. Medialdea na hindi binibigay sa kanya ‘yung gamot niya,” Go claimed.
He further expressed concern over Duterte’s health, questioning whether there was an intentional effort to deprive him of medical care.
“Anong gustong gawin nila kay Tatay Digong? Kung kaya nilang ipadala si Tatay Digong doon, gawan n’yo ng paraan kung paano siya ibalik dito,” he added.
The ICC has set the confirmation of charges hearing against Duterte for September 23, 2025. The former president faces allegations of crimes against humanity related to the thousands of extrajudicial killings linked to his war on drugs during his term.
