The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported that the protests organized by supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte over the weekend were generally peaceful.
PNP spokesperson PBGen Jean Fajardo stated that the pro-Duterte rallies across the country were peacefully conducted.
The Davao Police initially estimated that around 30,000 people marched in the city yesterday, Sunday, coinciding with the Araw ng Dabaw celebration.
In Metro Manila, approximately 2,000 pro-Duterte supporters gathered for a caravan at Liwasang Bonifacio on Saturday, followed by another at Mendiola yesterday.
The aforementioned activities took place consecutively as a form of protest against the arrest of former President Duterte by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity.
Meanwhile, the PNP chose not to raise the "heightened alert" level.
Approximately 52 mass protests were reported across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, with an additional nine demonstrations taking place in seven countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Finland, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Japan, and the Netherlands, where Duterte is being detained.
Former President Duterte was arrested upon his arrival in Manila from Hong Kong on March 11.
He was arrested based on an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and was subsequently transferred to The Hague in the Netherlands.
Moreover, he is facing charges of crimes against humanity, allegedly committed in the Philippines between November 1, 2011, and March 16, 2019.
Former President Duterte is currently in the custody of the ICC and is being held at the Scheveningen detention center.
On Friday, he attended his first ICC hearing via video link, where he was informed of the crimes he is accused of committing and made aware of his rights as a defendant.
The confirmation hearing for his charges will take place on September 23, 2025.
