Former President Rodrigo Duterte has become the center of attention again when some sources revealed how he behaved on the plane and a special request when eating that surprised many people. These details quickly spread and became a hot topic of discussion on social networks.
According to witnesses, Mr. Duterte is different from other powerful political figures when traveling by plane. Without ostentation, without needing a luxurious first-class cabin, he is said to maintain a simple style but still has very specific requests.
A source revealed that Duterte has a habit of chatting with the crew and staff on the plane, even asking about their health. This is surprising because most politicians usually keep their distance when traveling.
The most notable thing is that former President Duterte has a special request when eating on the plane. He is said to only accept simple, not too fussy dishes, and often requests a special dipping sauce that he loves.
Some sources revealed that it could be vinegar or soy sauce, familiar spices in Filipino cuisine that he often uses even when attending official events.
An airline employee even shared that he did not request fancy dishes but insisted on his familiar dipping sauce. That surprised them.
Immediately after this information was spread, the Philippine online community had many mixed reactions. Some people praised Duterte for his simplicity and closeness, saying that even when he was no longer president, he still kept the habits of an ordinary citizen. That is admirable.
However, there were also opposing opinions, saying that a person who had been in power had such special requests. It seems that he still wants to be favored over others.
No one can deny that Duterte has always been a controversial figure, and even his smallest habits have become the center of discussion. Whether this is just a personal habit, or a way for him to maintain an image close to the people, this is still a big question mark, but it is certain that every action of Mr. Duterte cannot escape the public’s attention.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte is now en route to The Netherlands and is expected to arrive at 16:13 GMT or tomorrow at 12:13 AM (Philippine Time), following a delay during his layover in Dubai.
He is headed to The Hague, where he will face charges issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in connection with his administration’s controversial war on drugs.
Duterte’s flight to Rotterdam departed from Dubai at 11:58 AM, several hours behind its original scheduled departure of 5:15 AM, according to flight tracker Flightradar24. The delay pushed back his expected arrival at The Netherlands from 06:00 GMT.
In a social media post, Senator Bong Go shared photos of the former president inside the aircraft during their layover in Dubai. He was accompanied by former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea during his flight.
Duterte was arrested on Tuesday morning at Ninoy Aquino International Airport upon his arrival from Hong Kong. He faces allegations of “crimes against humanity of murder” linked to thousands of killings during his administration’s anti-drug campaign from 2016 to 2022.