Duterte expected at PDP sortie in HK; trip stirs buzz of ICC ‘escape’

Former President Rodrigo Duterte. —Screen grab from Basta Dabawenyo podcast

MANILA, Philippines — Former President Rodrigo Duterte is set to lead the campaign sortie of the Partido Demokratiko ng Pilipinas (PDP) senatorial slate among overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Hong Kong today, Sunday.

Duterte reportedly flew to the former crown colony on Friday.

A video shared on social media showed Duterte at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), triggering speculation online that he was fleeing the country supposedly in anticipation of an arrest order from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

READ: PH may hand over ICC suspects to Interpol

The ICC is investigating the former President for alleged crimes against humanity over the death of thousands during his administration’s brutal war on drugs.

OFW community

In the video, people were seen asking to have photos with Duterte at Naia’s predeparture area, with some of them chanting “Duterte, Duterte,” echoing the frenzy of his 2016 presidential campaign.

Duterte had endorsed nine senatorial bets, including controversial televangelist Apollo Quiboloy who is in detention for, among others, child sexual abuse charges.

Based on the video, the former President had taken a commercial flight to Hong Kong.

The former president’s supporters among the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) community in Hong Kong have been drumming up his expected participation to invite more people to Sunday’s rally at Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai.

Among foreign countries or territories, Hong Kong hosts the most number of OFWs who are registered voters and eligible to cast ballots through the absentee voting system.

A poster for the PDP event was also circulated online, which included schedules for other sorties throughout the country where Duterte is expected to attend. —Ryan Rosauro, Inquirer Mindanao