Duterte turns 80 in ICC cell
Supporters of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte demonstrate outside the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, on Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
MANILA, Philippines — From his usual “quiet” birthdays with family in Davao City, former President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday was in solitary celebration of his milestone 80th birthday inside a detention cell of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, the Netherlands, as his supporters rallied and prayed for his return home.
Duterte was arrested and flown to The Hague on March 11 and surrendered by the Philippines to the ICC where he has been charged with crimes against humanity of murder for the thousands killed in his drug war.
‘Without fanfare’
Vice President Sara Duterte had earlier noted the tedious process of scheduling a visit at the ICC detention center. To gain “easier access” to him, the Vice President, who is a lawyer, earlier said she wanted to be part of her father’s defense team, but her government position did not allow that.
While he was president, Duterte usually preferred “quiet” birthday celebrations “without fanfare” with family in his Davao home, according to Ernesto Abella, his former spokesperson. He said the ex-president would rather be in bed sleeping.
It was “a simple celebration of a simple public servant” when Duterte marked his 79th birthday last year in Davao with his grandchildren, according to his son, Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte.
On his Facebook live outside the detention center on Friday, former Duterte spokesperson Harry Roque showed hundreds of Filipinos at a nearby park singing “Happy Birthday.”
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The Vice President took selfies with Duterte supporters, thanking them for making the trip to The Hague for her father and urging them to continue attending rallies for him.
She also endorsed the senatorial bets of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), which is chaired by Duterte.
“He told me to tell you that he needs the help of PDP senators and their guest candidates,” she said.
‘Flawful’
Her half-sister Veronica, who is more popularly known as Kitty, wrote a birthday message for their father on Instagram.
“Love manifests in different ways—you love in your acts and you act in your love. You say no words, put no facades and walk in your veridicality. Happy birthday to you dada. You are flawful (sic) in your ways, but the one thing you never fail to do is show up,” she said. “If we are your weaknesses, you are our strength. 80 never looked this good!”
In an earlier video message, the Vice President asked her father’s supporters among the Filipino diaspora around the world to pray that he would be “blessed with better health and a longer life.”
“Let us also ask God that President Duterte may soon return to the Philippines. Our rallies prove the strength, courage, and determination of the Filipino people,” she added.
In Malacañang, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro, the Palace press officer, said there was no order to stop the protest rallies by Duterte’s supporters as they were just exercising their freedom of expression.
But she warned that “they should not overstep and do things that would be against the law.”
“If they call for the overthrow of the government, if they speak to sow fear, promote hatred against the government, that is bordering the line of inciting to sedition,” Castro said.
Later she tried to encourage members of the Malacañang press corps to join her in singing the “Birthday Song” for the ex-president.
“Just a short one. Happy Birthday to you,” she sang as a few soft voices could be heard in the background singing with her.
“Of course, we wish him more years to come. We also wish good health, good fortune, because he needs it,” Castro said. —WITH A REPORT FROM INQUIRER RESEARCH
