Why Duterte's diehard fans are carrying cardboard cut-outs around The Hague
It's morning in The Hague and Senator Robin Padilla is wandering around looking for a place to eat – while carrying a life-size full-colour cardboard cut-out of
Rodrigo Duterte
Settling down at an outdoor cafe, the Filipino political partisan props the standee beside him. The cardboard image of the former president depicts him seated, wearing dark glasses and a T-shirt. Padilla, president of the Duterte-controlled PDP Laban party, snaps a photo for his social media account.
To some, this scene may appear surreal – but not to the other Filipinos nearby, who are arriving in town with their own standees in tow.
In one video, a middle-aged Filipino woman rides a speeding tram while clutching a Duterte standee. She glances back at the bemused passengers, smiles and says earnestly: 'This is our president.'
Duterte, 80, is being held at the
International Criminal Court 's detention centre in Scheveningen, The Hague's seaside resort district. He is set to face trial this year for crimes against humanity related to his administration's 'war on drugs'.
Senator Robin Padilla having a 'breakfast meeting' with Rodrigo Duterte's standee in The Hague. Photo: Facebook/Robin Padilla
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