VP Sara thanks Duterte supporters for 80th birthday gatherings

Vice President Sara Duterte on Saturday thanked supporters of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who held gatherings in the Philippines and abroad to celebrate his 80th birthday.

"Mga kababayan, aking taos-pusong pasasalamat sa lahat ng mga Pilipino na sumusuporta at nagmamahal kay dating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte. Sa mga kababayan natin sa Pilipinas, The Netherlands at iba’t ibang panig ng mundo—napakalaking bagay para kay Pangulong Duterte ang pagtitipon ninyo para sa kanyang pag-uwi at kaarawan," Sara said in a video message.

(My countrymen, I express my sincerest gratitude to all Filipinos who continue to support and love former President Rodrigo Duterte. To our fellow countrymen in the Philippines, The Netherlands and around the world—your gathering for his possible return and birthday is a huge matter for President Duterte.)

The vice president also asked their supporters to continue praying for her father.

"Hilingin din natin sa Diyos na sana ay makauwi na agad si Pangulong Duterte sa Pilipinas," she said. "Ang ating mga pagtitipon ay nagpapatunay ng lakas, tapang, at paninindigan ng mga Pilipino."

(Let us also ask God to bring President Duterte back to the Philippines soon. Our gatherings prove the strength, courage, and determination of the Filipino people.)

The former president is currently facing charges for murder as a crime against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC). He was arrested in the Philippines on March 11 and was brought to The Hague, Netherlands shortly after.

On Duterte’s 80th birthday, two contrasting gatherings took place outside his detention facility in The Hague—one celebrating his legacy, the other demanding accountability for his alleged crimes.

According to a 24 Oras report by Mariz Umali, Duterte’s supporters from across Europe assembled outside the ICC early Friday.

They marched in solidarity from the ICC to Scheveningen Prison, where they organized a picnic and a program to mark the occasion.

Photo by: Dave Llavanes Jr.

Times Square protest

In New York City, supporters of the former president gathered Friday at Times Square to call for his release as he marks his 80th birthday in detention.

Supporters from various states along the East Coast traveled to New York to show their solidarity with the former president.

This is the second consecutive day of protests by Duterte supporters at Times Square, New York's tourism hub.

Similar demonstrations were also held at various locations in the United States, including Chicago, California, and Washington, D.C.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Consulate in New York has reminded Filipinos to remain calm as they exercise their right to free speech.

"To our fellow Filipinos, not only here in New York but all over the world, the most important thing is to follow local regulations," said New York Consul General Senen Mangalile.

He added, "Of course, our freedom to express our sentiments is a right, but it should always be exercised within the bounds of the law. That should always be our guiding principle."

De Vega issued the statement following the arrest of 17 Filipinos in Qatar for staging an alleged unauthorized political demonstration. On Saturday morning, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the 17 were still at a police station in Qatar. — with a report from Dave Llavanes Jr./ VAL/ VDV, GMA Integrated News