Former President Rodrigo Duterte is in excellent mental condition, his legal adviser, former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea, said. "He simply thinks about those who support him, he is grateful to all of you," Medialdea said. He added that the former president misses his favorite Filipino food. "He doesn't crave his usual food, like tuna and above all, fried bananas. Besides that, he is alright, praying for him," he said.
Medialdea also noted that Duterte looks better now than when he first appeared before the International Criminal Court (ICC) on March 14. "He looks good, a normal, healthy person," he added. Duterte was arrested by the ICC on charges of committing crimes against humanity, which could lead to a prolonged legal battle. The charges against Duterte include killings as a crime against humanity, encompassing murders committed by the so-called death squads during the war on drugs during his administration as mayor of Davao and later as president.
The charges cover the period from November 1, 2011, to March 16, 2019, when the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute following Duterte's request.
