Busloads of Filipino migrant workers from different parts of Europe are making their way to The Hague in The Netherlands to wish former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte a happy 80th birthday, but also to demand for his immediate release and repatriation to the Philippines.

Duterte was arrested on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and flown to The Hague on March 11. Since then, supporters have been gathering outside the detention center to call for his release.

Duterte is facing charges of crimes against humanity for his role in orchestrating a drug war in the Philippines while he was president from 2016 to 2022. Human Rights Watch, an NGO, estimates more than 12,000 people were killed in the bloody crackdown that involved vigilante killings and police squads targeting mostly poor young men.

Despite this, Duterte remains popular with many Filipinos.

Pong Pena, a migrant worker in London, is set to depart for The Hague tomorrow. Others who are part of the organized trip are already in The Hague.

"It is very important that we show our support, wish the former president a happy birthday. We want him to be sent back to the Philippines," Pena told DW.

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and........

© Deutsche Welle