A number of Filipinos in Finland, predominantly healthcare workers, rallied on 15 March 2025 in Helsinki to express their support for former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. The demonstrators marched from Kansalaistori Square to Senaatintori, advocating for Duterte’s release following his recent arrest and transfer to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
The rally, themed “Bring Him Home,” underscored the deep connection many overseas Filipinos maintain with their homeland’s political landscape. Participants voiced concerns over Duterte’s detention, emphasizing their belief in his leadership and calling for his repatriation.
Similar demonstrations have emerged globally. In the Philippines, supporters gathered outside the Supreme Court in Manila and held prayer vigils in Davao City, Duterte’s hometown, advocating for his return.
Rodrigo Duterte, who served as the President of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, is facing charges at the ICC related to his administration’s “war on drugs,” a campaign that resulted in thousands of deaths. Human rights organizations have put the confirmed number of killings to 6000 while others have estimated the number of victims to be closer to 30.000 extrajudicial deaths, targeting primarily impoverished communities.
On March 12, 2025, Duterte was arrested in Manila upon his return from abroad, following an ICC warrant accusing him of crimes against humanity. He was subsequently transferred to The Hague and made his initial appearance before the court on March 14. The ICC has scheduled a confirmation of charges hearing for September 23, 2025, to determine if there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial.
Duterte’s legal team has criticized the arrest, labeling it as “pure and simple kidnapping” and arguing that he was denied legal recourse in the Philippines. Despite the country’s withdrawal from the ICC in 2019, the court maintains jurisdiction over crimes committed while the Philippines was still a member, covering the period during which the alleged offenses occurred.
The unfolding events have elicited varied reactions, with human rights advocates lauding the move towards accountability, while supporters of Duterte perceive the proceedings as politically motivated.
ICC bring our Former President Duterte back home