The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Sunday that around 60,000 Filipinos across the Philippines joined mass gatherings and prayer rallies organized to celebrate the 80th birthday of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
PNP spokesperson and concurrent Central Luzon regional director Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said they monitored about 200 rallies nationwide last Friday, March 28, when Duterte turned 80.
The former president marked his birthday while in detention the Scheveningen Prison in The Hague, Netherlands. He is facing charges of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in connection with his war on drugs policy.
“The activities were smooth and peaceful in general. It ended without any untoward incident being recorded,” Fajardo said.
On the eve of his birthday on March 27, Duterte supporters began hosting rallies and activities in Davao City, Davao del Norte, Cebu and Manila.
Vice-President Sara Duterte, who is also in The Netherlands to support her father, thanked their supporters who held various gatherings in the Philippines and abroad to celebrate his birthday.