Filipinos from different parts of Europe gathered to hold a candlelight vigil and prayer ceremony for the victims of the alleged extrajudicial killings during former president Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs earlier this week, while pro-Duterte supporters are planning a gathering this coming weekend.

Anti-Duterte protesters hold flags and banners during a demonstration in The Hague, Netherlands on Tuesday, March 17, 2025 (Manila time). (Screengrab from Bayan Europe video on Facebook)

The anti-Duterte protesters included Filipinos based in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France, and the United Kingdom, who marched on Tuesday, March 17 (Manila time), from the International Criminal Court (ICC) to the Hague Penitentiary Institution, where the former president was currently detained for crimes against humanity of murder related to his drug war campaign.

Different organizations, such as Pinay sa Holland Gabriela, Bayan Europe, Migrante Netherlands and Balik/Bayan NL, also joined the prayer vigil.

Recounting the testimonies of the families’ victims, protesters recounted the violence of the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.

Patricia Enriquez, a member of the Pinay in Holland Gabriela group, told GMANews Integrated that they immediately organized the vigil to show support for the families of the victims back in the Philippines.

Even though the next hearing won’t happen until six months from now on Sept. 23, the anti-Duterte protesters vowed to sustain their efforts and go beyond street protests.

In fact, they are also planning to conduct open forums and educational sessions to prevent misinformation about the former president’s case and ensure that the public understands the case’s legal proceedings.

Meanwhile, former presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in virtual press conference also on Monday, that the organizers of the pro-Duterte rally have already secured a permit from Dutch authorities to hold a gathering in The Hague on March 23, but they are still looking for a venue that can hold more than 500 people.

Supporters of former president Rodrigo Duterte gather at The Hague, Netherlands during the initial appearance of Duterte before the Pre-Trial Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday, March 14, 2025. (Photos courtesy Ryan Ang via Keith Bacongco)

“Bago dumating sa birthday, magkakaroon talaga ng pagtitipun-tipon. Meron ng permit, meron ng venue. Ang problema, naghahanap kami ng mas malaking venue kasi 500 lang daw ang ma-a-accommodate (Before the birthday [of Duterte], there will be a gathering. There is a permit and venue already. The problem is we are looking for a bigger venue because only 500 will be accommodated [by the current venue]),” he shared.

The former president will turn 80 years old on March 28.

According to the former Palace official, they are also plans to acquire another permit for Duterte’s birthday.

"Dito naman, very liberal sila sa mga pagtitipon. In fact, ‘yung pagtitipon na ginawa natin sa labas ng hukuman, walang permit yun, pero pinayagan naman with police supervision (Here, they are very liberal when it comes to protests. In fact, the gathering that we had outside the court has no permit but it was allowed with police supervision),” Roque added.

Pro-Duterte supporters gathered outside the ICC last Friday, March 14, during the first hearing of the former president’s case before the Pre-Trial Chamber.

Although not yet the trial proper, Duterte attended the procedural hearing—where he was informed of the charges against him and his rights under the Rome Statute—virtually from the detention facility.

A group of Filipinos based in Austria, Switzerland, and Hungary reportedly chartered a bus to bring them to The Hague this weekend.

In the Philippines, the Philippine National Police (PNP) estimated that around 50,000 Filipinos from across the country joined various rallies to show support for the former president following his arrest last week.

Last weekend, some 30,000 people joined a solidarity walk in Davao City to ask for his return from The Hague. The event was the culminating part of the civic parade of the 88th Araw ng Dabaw celebrations.

The former president was arrested last March 11 and subsequently sent to The Hague in the Netherlands via a chartered flight to face charges of crimes against humanity of murder in relation to his bloody war on drugs campaign that killed thousands of Filipinos.