Supporters rally as Duterte marks 80th birthday in detention

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — With lighted candles in hand, thousands of Davao residents flocked at the break of dawn to the Duterte residence to give birthday greetings to former president Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently in the International Criminal Court (ICC)’s detention facility in The Hague.

Around 600 drones performed last night in this city, lighting up the sky to show how people value and love the former president.

But it was not only in his hometown that people prayed that he be brought home through an ICC ruling.

Filipino communities in key cities around the world also held peace rallies and protest marches seeking Duterte’s liberty. Over 150 venues had registered to be part of the 80th birthday celebration for Duterte.

Filipinos gathered in New York, Vancouver and Toronto in Canada, Bahrain, Hong Kong, Tokyo and other cities to call for Duterte’s freedom.

At The Hague, overseas Filipinos supporting the former president, some coming all the way from the US, gathered for a birthday picnic outside the ICC detention center.

Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte, who is still in The Hague, said the former president asked for nothing but Coke Zero.

Sara even told her father he should write a book while inside the ICC facility. To which the former president reportedly quipped, “And the title would be ‘WHAT THE HAUGE!’ and the first chapter would be ‘Coke Zero.’ ”

‘We will overcome this’

In a message, Duterte’s former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea said, “Mayor Rody, happy 80th birthday. While we are not together, the entire Philippines and the whole world are behind you,” Medialdea said.

“Please be strong for our country,” he added. “We will overcome this.”

Vice President Duterte has called on Filipinos to pray for the immediate return to the country of the former president.

“As he celebrates his 80th birthday, let us not forget to pray to God to give him good health and long life,” the Vice President said in a video message.

“Let us also pray to God for president Duterte’s immediate return to the Philippines,” she added.

For his part, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte asked their supporters to continue the fight until his father is brought home. “It is important that we fight. We should not allow ourselves to be defeated,” he said.

Davao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte thanked his father’s supporters all over the world for celebrating his birthday. “We all know that president Duterte is in a difficult situation because of his age. Please continue to pray for his health,” he said.

Duterte’s youngest daughter Veronica also greeted her father on his 80th birthday, saying that “even in his sunset days, he poses the biggest threat.”

“A man of very few words, but the most actions. My father has always been a force to be reckoned with. Even in his sunset days, he poses the biggest threat because of his bold heroism and patriotism. He is indeed a man, a father of the people. His love goes beyond his commitment and devotion to the people,” Veronica posted on Instagram on Friday.

“Happy birthday to our dada… the one thing you never fail to do is show up. It’s so funny how the only way to get you out of bed is to tell you I called. If we are your weaknesses, you are our strength. 80 never looked this good.”

PCO sings ‘happy birthday’

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro yesterday dedicated a “Happy Birthday” chant for the former president during the morning media briefing.

During the press conference, Castro was asked if President Marcos had anything to say about Duterte’s 80th birthday, to which she joyfully responded by inviting all present at the Malacañang press conference room to join her in a “Happy Birthday” sing-along. — Bella Cariaso, Jose Rodel Clapano, Diana Lhyd Suelto, EJ Macababbad, Elizabeth Marcelo, Silvia Massa