Supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte in Bohol province joined nationwide protests following his arrest on an International Criminal Court warrant for alleged crimes against humanity, according to local officials and organizers.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed March 11, 2025 that Duterte was transported to The Hague, Netherlands, where the ICC is headquartered, the same day as his arrest.
A Bohol-based organization called Hugop Bol-anon Alang ni Duterte (HUBAD) condemned the arrest as illegal in a statement released Wednesday.
The group expressed particular outrage over the circumstances of Duterte’s detention, claiming he was denied visitors before being quickly transported overseas.
“This constitutes a grave violation of due process and sovereign rights,” said Engineer Vicente Loquillano, HUBAD’s interim secretary-general, in the signed statement.
HUBAD, which describes itself as a social movement opposing what it calls political persecution of the Duterte family, has previously defended Vice President Sara Duterte against what they characterize as unconstitutional impeachment move.
The organization is led by interim chairman lawyer McAldous “Makdo” Castañares and interim vice chairman retired Judge Avelino Puracan.
HIGH ALERT
Bohol police have placed the province under heightened alert following directives from national headquarters, according to police spokesman Lt. Col. Norman Nuez.
“We received orders from Camp Crame placing the entire country on heightened alert beginning Tuesday afternoon,” Nuez said.
Similar security measures have been implemented across Mindanao, particularly in the Davao region, Duterte’s hometown and political stronghold.
The former president was arrested Tuesday upon returning from Hong Kong and immediately transported via private jet to the Netherlands to face trial.
In response to the arrest, HUBAD organized a prayer vigil at Plaza Rizal in downtown Tagbilaran on Wednesday.
Participants gathered to pray for both the former president and his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, while voicing opposition to what they termed an “illegal arrest” based on the ICC warrant.
Bohol Vice Governor Tita Baja expressed sympathy for the former president days after his arrest and transport to The Hague.
“Former President Duterte provided huge support to Garcia Hernandez during his administration,” Baja said, referencing Duterte’s 2019 campaign rally at the town’s gymnasium and subsequent development projects.
“I remain deeply grateful for his assistance to our community and his love for the Philippines,” Baja said.
Baja encouraged Duterte supporters to “remain steadfast and prayerful” during this period.
Her statement, widely shared on social media, has generated viral response.
Political observers note that while Baja has spoken out, her ally Governor Aris Aumentado has remained silent on the matter.
Aumentado is a member of President Marcos’s Partido Federal ng Pilipinas.
The Balite family, known allies of the Dutertes who received Vice President Sara Duterte when she visited the wake of the late Vice Governor Dioniso Victor Balite, has also not issued any public statement regarding the arrest.
Bohol has historically been a Duterte stronghold, with the former president visiting at least three times during his term, including a special trip following an Abu Sayyaf Group attack in 2017. The province also delivered strong electoral support for Vice President Sara Duterte in the 2022 elections.
Many Bohol residents have taken to social media to express anger over what they describe as injustice toward the Duterte family, who maintain wide popularity in the province.
The ICC has pursued investigations into Duterte’s controversial war on drugs campaign, which human rights organizations claim resulted in thousands of extrajudicial killings during his 2016-2022 presidency.
Duterte has consistently denied these allegations and previously withdrew the Philippines from the ICC in 2019, questioning its jurisdiction over him.
Legal experts remain divided on whether the ICC retains authority to prosecute actions that occurred while the Philippines was a signatory to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the court.
Political analysts anticipate continued demonstrations across Duterte strongholds, with Bohol likely remaining a focal point for supporter mobilization and advocacy activities.