Duterte Family Rallies as Former Philippine Leader Marks 80th Birthday in Detention

MANILA, March 28, 2025 (BSS/AFP) – The family and supporters of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte are set to hold rallies on Friday to commemorate his 80th birthday, while also protesting his detention in The Hague on charges of crimes against humanity.

Duterte, who faces a potential life sentence if convicted at the International Criminal Court (ICC) over his controversial “war on drugs,” is accused of being responsible for the deaths of thousands of individuals. The charges are linked to a violent anti-narcotics campaign, during which many people, predominantly from poorer communities, were killed, often without sufficient evidence linking them to drugs.

To mark his birthday, supporters are planning over 200 simultaneous protests demanding his release, with rallies being staged across various locations.

Sara Duterte, his eldest daughter and current Vice President of the Philippines, has been in The Hague for over two weeks, helping coordinate his legal defence. Another of Duterte’s daughters, 20-year-old Veronica, along with his wife Cielito Avancena, attempted to visit him in prison on Wednesday but were denied entry. Despite this setback, Veronica remained hopeful about securing a meeting with her father, telling a Philippine television network, “I will make sure I get to see him.”

Other members of Duterte’s family, including his son and former wife Elizabeth Zimmerman, are also expected to be present for the birthday event, according to Vice President Sara Duterte.

Allegations of a “Systematic Attack”

The ICC’s chief prosecutor has stated that the alleged crimes committed under Duterte’s “war on drugs” were part of a “widespread and systematic attack” against the civilian population in the Philippines. The prosecutor claimed that the deaths of potentially tens of thousands of people were perpetrated during the campaign, which largely targeted impoverished men, many of whom were killed without clear evidence of involvement in drug-related activities.

However, Sara Duterte maintains that her father believes the actions of the ICC were unjust, insisting that “there is no case to begin with.” She has reiterated that Duterte remains steadfast in his position that the charges against him are unfounded.

Duterte’s arrest on March 11 and his swift transfer to the ICC came just after his family’s strained relationship with his successor, President Ferdinand Marcos. Tensions began to surface following the 2022 presidential election, where Marcos and Sara Duterte formed an alliance to secure both the presidency and vice presidency. Sara Duterte later resigned from her post as Education Secretary after being denied the defence portfolio, and her father began publicly accusing Marcos of being involved with drugs.

Last month, Sara Duterte was impeached by a pro-Marcos House of Representatives on accusations, including a supposed assassination plot against President Marcos. The outcome of her trial in the Senate will depend on the results of the upcoming mid-term elections on May 12, where her party’s candidates are hoping to secure key seats.

One of her allies, former police chief Ronald Dela Rosa, known for his role in enforcing Duterte’s drug war, has speculated that he might be the next to face ICC charges.

Legal Proceedings and Court Appearances

Duterte is set to remain in the UN’s Scheveningen prison for the next six months, awaiting his next court appearance scheduled for September 23. During this session, the charges against him will be formally confirmed, and he will have the opportunity to challenge the allegations.

The ICC’s Chief Prosecutor, Karim Khan, has disclosed 181 items of unspecified evidence to Duterte’s defence team, which is headed by British-Israeli lawyer Nicholas Kaufman.

Under the prison’s regulations, Duterte is allowed only two visitors per day—one from his legal team and one family member. Vice President Sara Duterte shared that she has encouraged her father to write a book during his time in detention, suggesting, “When you get out, we’ll sell it and make money out of it.”

Duterte’s ongoing legal battle and the efforts of his family to support him highlight the ongoing political tensions in the Philippines, with his supporters continuing to rally behind him, while his critics see the ICC case as a necessary step for justice in light of the human rights violations linked to his administration’s drug war.