Emotions ran high among Davaoeños watching the live feed at Rizal Park, Davao City, as former President Rodrigo Duterte boarded an aircraft en route The Netherlands on March 11, 2025. Hernel Tocmo

DAVAO CITY — The 12-hour candlelight vigil and prayer gathering at Rizal Park in Davao City on Tuesday was filled with emotions among over a thousand supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who was flown to the Netherlands to face the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Ex-President Duterte arrested on ICC warrant for alleged crimes against humanity

Joy erupted among the crowd when the host announced incorrectly around 8 p.m. that a temporary restraining order (TRO) had been granted to prevent Duterte's flight.  

Although the Supreme Court has raffled off the petition that Duterte and Sen. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa filed on Tuesday, it has not issued a TRO on the arrest and subsequent flight to the Netherlands.

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The mood shifted moments later as the crowd watched a live feed on an LED screen showing Duterte being escorted to a chartered plane.

What awaits Duterte: ICC detention center in The Hague

The supporters were in tears, some furious and in disbelief, grappling with the uncertainty of when their former mayor would return home. 

From councilors to ordinary supporters, messages of solidarity for Duterte were voiced, along with expressions of anger towards the authorities and the government.

Calls for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to step down were also heard during the program.

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Among the attendees was a female supporter who traveled from Zamboanga Peninsula.

"Nang malaman po namin na medyo hindi na po kami mapalagay, kahit gaano kalayo, kahit nahihirapan kami sa gastos, dahil sa pagmamahal namin sa mahal na pangulo, nandito kami ngayon," she said in her speech while crying. 

(When we heard the news, we were anxious. We came here despite the distance and the cost out of our love for our beloved president)

Duterte’s brother-in-law, Wil Zimmerman, expressed deep gratitude to everyone who showed up in solidarity for the former President. 

"Words alone can't express my gratitude to your presence here today for sharing your precious time. Salamat," he said.

Marcos says Duterte arrest part of PH’s obligation to Interpol

Meanwhile, in response to Duterte's departure, motorsists and riders organized a motorcade throughout various parts of the city, honking their horns as a sign of support for the former mayor.

Duterte, 79, was arrested by police officers on Tuesday morning, acting on a warrant from the International Criminal Court over his war on drugs, shortly after he arrived in the Philippines from Hong Kong.

What awaits Duterte: ICC detention center in The Hague

Palace defends Duterte arrest, to help serve more ICC arrest warrants

'NOT AN AFFRONT TO SOVEREIGNTY'

The former president is facing charges of crimes against humanity linked to his administration’s crackdown on illegal drugs that left thousands dead, including some bystanders and minors.

Former Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño said Duterte's arrest was not a violation of sovereignty, but a victory for justice.

"Ang pag-aresto po kay Duterte ay hindi pagyurak sa soberanya. Ito po ay tagumpay ng hustisya. Ang soberanya ay hindi dapat ginagawang panangga para umiwas sa pananagutan," he said in a press conference with relatives of drug war victims.  

Casiño said other Duterte administration officials responsible for the drug war "should also be accountable if not in the ICC [then] in other courts."

"Ang hamon po namin sa Marcos administration, kasuhan na nila ang mga kasamahan ni Duterte dito. Kung sila ay masyadong sensitive bakit dayuhan, eh di gawin natin dito. The government has all the records," the former lawmaker said.

"Simulan na nila ito. Huwag na nila hintayin na may magfile nanaman ng kaso sa ICC doon sa ibang pangkat," he added.

For his part, Bayan Chairman Renato Reyes said the ICC case is not about politics.

"Hindi po ito away pulitiko, hindi po ito tungkol sa away ng Marcos-Duterte. Usapin po ito ng mga biktima na naghahanap ng hustisya. Ang kaso sa ICC ay sinampa ng mga biktima para sa hustisya," he said.

"Hindi si Marcos ang hero sa kwentong ito, hindi si Duterte ang biktima sa kwentong ito. Ang totoong biktima ang mamamayang Pilipino. Ang totoong hero ang mga nanay po ng mga biktima," Reyes added.

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