Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested on March 11 and sent to The Hague, Netherlands, for trial by the International Criminal Court (ICC), sparking a massive wave of support.
Duterte's supporters are spread across the Philippines and even among Filipino expatriates worldwide, leading to demonstrations. Protesters not only expressed support for the former president but also dissatisfaction with the ICC's arrest decision and the attitude of the current government.
March 11: Rally at Villamor Air Base, first wave of protests erupts
On the morning of March 11, news of Duterte's arrest quickly spread, and a large number of supporters gathered outside Villamor Air Base, chanting slogans and demanding the government stop the extradition process. Supporters emphasized that they came voluntarily, not driven by money. By evening, police had strengthened security, and the number of protesters had exceeded 250, with some demonstrators becoming emotional and clashing with the police.
At 8:50 PM, the Philippine police released a video of Duterte being escorted onto a plane, further igniting the supporters' anger. Social media was filled with comments that "Duterte was kidnapped by foreign forces," and the protest activities spread from the air base to various areas in Manila, with police blocking some roads to control the situation.
March 12: Nationwide protests escalate, demands for Bongbong Marcos to step down
On March 12, the wave of protests spread nationwide in the Philippines, with demonstrators not only calling for Duterte's release but also starting to demand the resignation of current President Bongbong Marcos. Rumors that U.S. troops had withdrawn from the Philippines further exacerbated social unrest (although it was later confirmed that this news was false).
March 13: 1,200-person convoy parade in Davao City
Duterte's hometown, Davao City, became the center of protests. On March 13, about 1,200 volunteer firefighters formed a convoy stretching 10-15 kilometers along the coastal road of Davao City. Many vehicles displayed Duterte's photos, and protesters carried banners, chanting slogans for Duterte to return home.
March 14: Some roads in Manila blocked, protest scale expands
On March 14, the protest activities in Manila escalated. A large number of demonstrators marched in the Avida area, and roads from Tz to Makati were temporarily blocked. Netizens warned local residents to avoid going out as much as possible on social platforms.
Meanwhile, the "Black Friday" protest activities organized by Gabriela Women's Party and other advocacy groups took place in various parts of the country, calling for charges against former President Rodrigo Duterte and demanding the ICC prosecute him for crimes against humanity.
March 16: Tens of thousands gather in Davao City, support reaches its peak
On March 16, during the Araw ng Dabaw celebration, Claveria Street in Davao City witnessed the largest scale of demonstration, with tens of thousands of supporters gathering, chanting Duterte's name. Davao City government employees wore black to show their support for Duterte and demanded that the ICC and the Marcos government allow him to return to the Philippines. Meanwhile, major cities like Manila and Cebu also experienced waves of demonstrations, with the national support wave reaching its peak.
That day, Manila witnessed violent incidents, with some protesters randomly smashing cars, causing some areas to fall into chaos, forcing the police to deploy more forces to maintain order.
March 17: Police say overall peaceful, but the situation remains unsettled
On March 17, the Philippine National Police (PNP) issued a statement saying that the nationwide gatherings were "overall peaceful and orderly," but social media reports showed that protests in some cities were still ongoing. Protesters emphasized that they would not stop their actions until Duterte was freed.
Future Outlook: To what extent will the Philippines "descend into chaos"?
Currently, the voices of support and opposition for Duterte within the Philippines continue to clash fiercely. Before Duterte's trial officially begins in September, the situation may escalate further:
Political maneuvering intensifies: The contradiction between Duterte's supporters and the current government may further intensify, affecting the political stability within the Philippines.
Continued large-scale protests: Supporters may continue to organize gatherings and even initiate larger-scale strikes or sit-ins in the coming months.
Risk of extremist actions: If protest activities continue to heat up, there may be small-scale violent conflicts, potentially affecting public security in the Philippines.
International impact expands: The ICC trial will become a focus of international attention, and the Philippine government's attitude and response may affect diplomatic relations, even impacting cooperation with Western countries.
Although the possibility of large-scale internal strife is not high at the moment, as the date of Duterte's trial approaches, political and social turmoil in the Philippines will continue, and the ultimate direction remains to be observed.
