Malacañang extends birthday greetings to detained Duterte, urges protesters to stay within legal bounds

Malacañang extended birthday greetings to former President Rodrigo Duterte on his 80th birthday, wishing him good health and fortune while he is detained in the Netherlands under International Criminal Court (ICC) custody.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro sang 'Happy Birthday' to Duterte during a press briefing and noted that both pro- and anti-Duterte protests were taking place across the country, particularly in his home region of Davao.

Castro emphasized that holding rallies is a constitutional right but urged protesters to avoid illegal activities such as calling for government overthrow or promoting hatred towards it, warning against actions that could incite fear or hatred.

The Palace Press Officer reminded supporters to stay hydrated due to rising temperatures and cautioned against crossing legal boundaries during their demonstrations.

Duterto's backers are expected to stage rallies calling for his return from ICC custody, following his arrest on March 11. Despite the ongoing drug war controversy under Duterte’s presidency that led to at least 6,000 deaths according to official records, only four convictions for extrajudicial killings have been recorded.

The Marcos administration has acknowledged difficulties in investigating these cases due to widespread lapses in police documentation and recording during Duterte's presidency.