Palace urges calm over Duterte supporters' remittance protest

Supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte in the Philippines are planning protest actions following his arrest in The Hague. A Palace official, Claire Castro, urged calm during a briefing on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. She commented on the group's plan for a "zero remittance week" aimed at showing discontent with Duterte's situation. Castro emphasized the importance of remaining calm and understanding the government's role in enforcing laws. She warned that stopping remittances would affect not just the government but also the families of overseas workers. "Hopefully, we can remain calm in handling these kinds of issues," she said. In addition, Castro called on those protesting against Duterte to consider their actions carefully. She stressed the need for fair perspectives to minimize any negative outcomes from their protests. Duterte is in The Hague for a trial regarding alleged crimes against humanity tied to his administration's controversial drug war. The drug war has faced criticism for a high death toll, with official figures reporting 6,000 deaths, while human rights groups estimate the real number could be much higher, between 12,000 and 30,000.