PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte expressed his deep longing for the Filipino people as he marked his 81st birthday behind bars, moved to tears by videos of global celebrations held in his honor.
During a two-hour visit by Davao congressman Paolo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC) Detention Center, the former leader was shown a compilation of photos and videos documenting festivities from the streets of Davao City to the Philippine embassy in Tokyo and the plazas of The Hague.
“I would like to thank, from the bottom of my heart, each and every one outside of this prison, and everywhere in the Philippines, wherever you find yourself in the world,” Duterte said in a statement released following the visit. “Thank you for the love and support. I miss you all.”
Despite his detention, supporters organized synchronized events across the globe.
The lawmaker joined supporters in The Hague, while Vice President Sara Duterte and Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte led local tributes in their home stronghold of Davao City.
The former President was reportedly “amazed” by the massive crowds that gathered for marches in Shibuya, Japan, and the Netherlands.
He also expressed pride in the food distribution programs conducted in the name of January Duterte, which reached marginalized communities across the country.
The visit was described as an “emotionally intense” two hours.
Those present noted that the former President cycled through a range of emotions—laughing at a video of former Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo dancing, and reminiscing about past birthdays in Davao.
He shared lighthearted anecdotes of his younger years, recalling a tradition where he would paint his forehead with chicken blood to honor his birthday.
As a “special gift,” the visit concluded with Duterte watching footage of the Mutya ng Dabaw 2026 pageant.
The former Davao City mayor reportedly explained the mechanics of the competition to his visitors, emphasizing its cultural importance to the city he led for decades.
While the former President had initially expressed a desire not to celebrate his birthday this year, his legal and support team noted a significant shift in his morale after seeing the outpouring of support.
Duterte closed his message with a characteristic blessing: “God bless you, God bless our country, the Philippines.”
