Duterte supporters eyeing birthday bash world record – Panelo

Supporters of Former President Rodrigo Duterte hold a rally (left photo) outside the detention facility of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the coast coastal district of Scheveningen on Wednesday.  (AP)

MANILA, Philippines – Former presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said on Thursday that the organizers of simultaneous gatherings to mark former President Rodrigo Duterte’s 80th birth anniversary on Friday, March 28  are aiming to set a new Guinness World Record.

“The organizers, they are trying to set a record,” Panelo said in a media forum

“They want a Guinness Book of Record [for] simultaneous gathering of people celebrating an event all over the world,” he added.

On Wednesday, Duterte’s former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque shared that at least 109 areas inside and outside the Philippines will hold a prayer rally and gathering for Duterte. 

Roque also shared that a prayer rally will be held at Edsa Shrine on the same date.

Meanwhile, Panelo said his birthday wish for Duterte is his return to the country.

READ: Duterte death in detention may lead to VP Sara presidency – Panelo

“Our wish aside from good health is his return to his homeland,” he said.

Duterte’s drug war claimed at least 6,000 lives, according to official government data. 

But human rights watchdogs and the ICC prosecutor estimated the death toll to be between 12,000 and 30,000 from 2016 to 2019, as they noted that many of these incidents were extrajudicial killings.

Duterte was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on March 11. He was flown on the same day to The Hague, Netherlands where he is currently being held.

The former president had his pretrial hearing on March 14, while his confirmation of charges is scheduled for September 23, and he may appeal for an interim release before that date.