Duterte supporters rally as ex-Philippine leader marks 80th birthday in jail

Photo: AFP

Family members and supporters of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte gathered on Friday to celebrate his 80th birthday and protest against his detention. Duterte is currently being held in The Hague, facing charges of crimes against humanity linked to his brutal “war on drugs,” which led to thousands of deaths.

If the International Criminal Court (ICC) finds him guilty, Duterte could spend the rest of his life in prison.

Motorcycle Rally and Candle-Lit Vigils

In the Philippines, hundreds of supporters took to the streets. Police said they stopped a convoy of at least 100 motorcyclists near the presidential palace. The riders honked their horns loudly, waved Filipino flags, and held up posters with the words “Bring Him Home.”

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In Davao City, Duterte’s hometown, supporters held a candle-lit rally. This was one of over 200 birthday gatherings across the country, all demanding his release.

“Almost all Filipinos love him and are sad for him now,” said Darbie Bula, a 44-year-old supporter.

Government’s Response

Presidential palace spokesperson Claire Castro said the protesters had the right to express their opinions but warned them not to create fear or spread hatred against the government. She said this could be seen as “inciting to sedition.”

Despite the protests, Castro wished Duterte “good health and good fortune,” adding, “He needs that.”

Family’s Support

Duterte’s eldest daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, has been in The Hague since her father’s arrest. She said the public support “makes the challenges he is facing today more bearable.”

His younger daughter, 20-year-old Veronica Duterte, praised her father in a social media post. She said he had “always been a force to be reckoned with, even in his sunset days.” She added, “We will make certain that his legacy lives on.”

The Charges Against Duterte

The ICC’s chief prosecutor accused Duterte of leading a “widespread and systematic attack” against civilians through his anti-drug campaign. The prosecutor claimed that “potentially tens of thousands” of people were killed, most of them poor men. Many were shot without evidence of being involved with drugs.

However, Sara Duterte believes the ICC’s actions are unfair. She said her father “is convinced there is no case to begin with.”

Political Fallout

Duterte’s arrest on March 11 came after a public falling out with his successor, President Ferdinand Marcos. The two were once political allies, but their relationship soured.

After Marcos and Sara Duterte won the presidential and vice-presidential elections in May 2022, tensions grew. The vice president later resigned from her role as education secretary when she was denied the defense portfolio. Meanwhile, Duterte publicly accused Marcos of being a “drug addict.”

Recently, Sara Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives, which supports Marcos. She faces charges including an alleged plot to assassinate the president. Her fate now depends on the results of her Senate trial, which could be influenced by the mid-term elections on May 12.

Duterte’s Life in Detention

Duterte’s next court appearance is scheduled for September 23. While in detention, he is allowed only two visits per day—one from a lawyer and one from a family member.

Sara Duterte shared a lighthearted moment, saying she encouraged her father to “write a book” about his experience. She joked, “When you get out, we’ll sell it and make money from it.”