Thousands of Filipinos in Australia are expected to gather Sunday, 22 June, at Parliament Gardens in Melbourne for a rally demanding the release of former president Rodrigo Duterte from detention at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, over alleged crimes against humanity.

Vice President Sara Duterte, daughter of the former president, is slated to attend as a special guest. Organizers said the rally, dubbed “Free Duterte Now,” is a people’s movement advocating unity, truth and justice.

The rally has sparked speculation the ICC may grant Duterte an interim release to a member country, possibly Australia, while he awaits trial.

A source close to the Vice President told Daily Tribune that Australia, as an ICC member state, could serve as a temporary host country for Duterte. Australia has consistently provided financial support to the ICC and has a role in electing its judges and key officials, including prosecutors.

“Australia has jurisdiction under the Rome Statute and plays a major role in enforcing it,” the source said, noting that the country’s legal framework covers genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

The Duterte Down Under movement, based in Sydney, described the rally as a moment of solidarity for supporters across the country.

“This will be a good opportunity for Duterte supporters — not only in Melbourne, but from all over Australia — to unite and call on the ICC to free FPRRD,” the group said, using Duterte’s initials.

Supporters from Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide, Brisbane, and Darwin are expected to join the mass gathering.

“This is also a much-awaited event, as VP Inday Sara is visiting Australia for the first time, which excites many Duterte loyalists,” the group added.

“Through this gathering, we aim to show that many Filipino-Australians still support Duterte and recognize his accomplishments,” they said.