Harry Roque: Permit secured for March 23 pro-Duterte gathering in The Hague

THE HAGUE – Supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte from other parts of Europe are scheduled to gather in this city on March 23, former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque has said.

In a news briefing via Zoom, Roque said a permit has been secured from Dutch authorities but organizers are looking for a venue which can accommodate more than 500.

“Bago dumating sa birthday, magkakaroon talaga ng pagtitipun-tipon. Mayroon nang permit, mayroon nang venue. Ang problema, naghahanap kami ng mas malaking venue kasi 500 lang daw ang maa-accommodate," Roque said.

"Mayroon pong pagtitipun-tipon sa 23 ng buwan na ito na dadaluhan ng mga taga-Europa. Naghahanap lang kami ng mas malaking venue, kasi yung na-aprubahang venue can only accommodate 500," he added.

Roque said they would also try to get a permit for another gathering on Duterte's birthday on March 28. 

"Dito naman, very liberal sila sa mga pagtitipon. In fact, yung pagtitipon na ginawa natin sa labas ng hukuman, walang permit yun, pero pinayagan naman with police supervision,” Roque said.

Several Filipino groups in Europe have informed GMA News Online that they are already planning to join the gathering in The Netherlands.

A group whose members are based in Austria, Switzerland, and Hungary has already chartered a bus that will bring them to The Hague on Saturday. A member, who requested anonymity, said their group includes nurses, chefs, legal professionals, and Filipinos in the service sector.

Meanwhile, a co-organizer of the group of Duterte supporters who staged a prayer rally in Prague said Monday they are finalizing the logistics to go to The Hague this weekend. –NB, GMA Integrated News