Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s defense team has urged his supporters to “channel&quot; their support for him &quot;lawfully and peacefully” days before he marks his 81st birthday in detention.  In a statement released by lead defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman on Thursday, Duterte’s camp assured the public that they have received messages of support and that these have been communicated to the Davaoeño leader.<div> <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/11/vp-duterte-s-lawyers-enter-appearance-before-house-justice-panel-1711">VP Duterte’s lawyers enter appearance before House justice panel</a></div> “We can assure everyone that the former President is made personally aware of every message received and we can only beg forgiveness for not replying to each and every concerned person individually,” the statement read. “Please channel your love and support for the former President lawfully and peacefully,” it read. “Let the former President’s 81st birthday - 28 March 2026 - be a day to remember!” Duterte has been detained in the International Criminal Court’s detention facility in the Hague since March 2025 for charges of crimes against humanity over the thousands killed during his administration’s drug war.<div> <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/4/kaufman-denies-being-paid-bags-and-bags-of-money-to-represent-duterte-in-icc-0635">Kaufman denies being paid &#x27;bags and bags of money&#x27; to represent Duterte in ICC </a></div> He is awaiting the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I’s decision on whether or not there is sufficient evidence for the panel to proceed to a full-blown trial. The decision is expected to be released before the end of April 2026, following the court’s 4-day confirmation of charges hearing in February.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s defense team has urged his supporters to “channel" their support for him "lawfully and peacefully” days before he marks his 81st birthday in detention.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s defense team has urged his supporters to “channel" their support for him "lawfully and peacefully” days before he marks his 81st birthday in detention.

Duterte defense team urges supporters to show support ‘lawfully and peacefully’

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Duterte defense team urges supporters to show support ‘lawfully and peacefully’

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Mar 12, 2026 06:29 PM PHT

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Updated Mar 12, 2026 10:22 PM PHT

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Rodrigo Duterte

Nicholas Kaufman

International Criminal Court

ICC

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