Pallade Veneta - Pro-Duterte rallies as ex-Philippine leader marks 80th birthday in jail

Duterte could spend the rest of his life in jail if convicted at the International Criminal Court (ICC) of the charge tied to his "war on drugs" in which thousands were killed.

Police told AFP they had blocked a convoy of at least 100 motorcycle riders near the Philippine presidential palace, brandishing posters that read "Bring Him Home".

In the southern city of Davao, thousands of the ex-president's supporters massed for a candle-lit rally, one of more than 200 birthday gatherings demanding his release.

"Almost all Filipinos love him and are very sad for him now," 44-year-old supporter Darbie Bula said.

Presidential palace spokeswoman Claire Castro said protesters had the right to assemble, but warned against acts that "sow fear (or) promote hatred toward the government, bordering the line of inciting to sedition".

Castro told reporters that Philippine officials wished Duterte "good health, good fortune" -- adding that "he needs that."

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, his eldest daughter, addressed some 500 supporters outside the detention centre in The Hague.

She later told AFP her father was in "good spirits", although suffering from the "physical complaints of an 80-year-old" such as headaches.

"He wasn't so much complaining about his physical well-being. It's just that he misses Filipino food," she said.

According to Sara Duterte, her father does not believe he has a case to answer at the ICC.

"First he said that they brought me here illegally. It is what we call extraordinary rendition in law. And then he said that I don't have to answer for anything. Because he believes that there is no case to begin with," she said.

Supporters in the Hague sang "Happy Birthday" at a picnic with party balloons and cake, as performers blasted out songs on a sound system.

"We hope that he will be back in the Philippines as soon as possible," organiser Aldwin Villarta told AFP.

"I don't think that he has a case to answer. I think it's very unfair for him to be here".

Nicholas Kaufman, Duterte's lead defence lawyer, told AFP his client had been made aware of the events in Davao and The Hague.

"He was touched by the huge presence of supporters on this milestone birthday and we will work to ensure that he will celebrate future birthdays in their company," he said via email.

- 'Systematic attack' -

The families of victims of his war on drugs see the ICC case as a long-awaited chance for justice.

The ICC chief prosecutor's application for his arrest said Duterte's alleged crimes were "part of a widespread and systematic attack directed against the civilian population" in the Philippines.

"Potentially tens of thousands of killings were perpetrated," the prosecutor alleged of the campaign that targeted mostly poor men, often without proof they were linked to drugs.

Duterte's arrest on March 11 and rapid handover to the international tribunal came on the heels of his family's bitter falling out with his successor, President Ferdinand Marcos.

Cracks began to appear in their alliance soon after Marcos teamed up with Sara Duterte to sweep the presidential and vice presidential elections in May 2022.

The vice president quit her cabinet post as education secretary after being denied the defence portfolio, while Duterte himself began calling Marcos a drug addict.

Last month, Sara Duterte was impeached by a pro-Marcos House of Representatives on charges that include an alleged assassination plot against the president.

The outcome of her Senate trial will likely depend on the number of seats her allies win in May 12 mid-term elections.

The ex-president will next appear in court on September 23.

burs-ric/jfx

N.Tartaglione--PV