By South China Morning Post | Created at 2025-03-10 15:21:23 | Updated at 2025-03-10 18:28:36
3 hours ago
Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte is no stranger to headlines during his previous visits to the city for reasons ranging from his spending sprees, to dining at fast-food chain Jollibee, and his apology over a fatal hostage crisis involving Hongkongers.
The ex-leader sparked a media frenzy with his appearance in Hong Kong this week, alongside his daughter, Sara Duterte, the incumbent vice-president of the Philippines, when they addressed a political rally attended by some 2,000 Filipinos on Sunday in Wan Chai.
The address was aimed at boosting support for candidates of their political party in the coming midterm elections in the country.
The office of China’s foreign ministry commissioner in the city said on Monday that the pair were here for a “private vacation trip”.
“Rallies held by Philippine citizens in Hong Kong have been applied for in advance in accordance with the laws and regulations of [Hong Kong],” the office added in a brief statement.
The duo’s visit to the city came amid speculation that the father could face a case at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity concerning his administration’s drug war, with his daughter potentially also implicated.
