A large group of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Germany gathered at Karlplatz in Berlin to express their support for former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently facing crimes against humanity charges before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands.
According to Ryan Ang, Bombo International News Correspondent in the Netherlands, the rally showcased the strong backing of OFWs for Duterte, highlighting his continued popularity among Filipino communities abroad.
This gathering marks the first pro-Duterte rally held in Germany, underscoring the influence and political engagement of the Filipino diaspora.
OFWs are a key sector of the Philippine economy, with their remittances contributing significantly to the country’s GDP. In 2022, OFW remittances reached $34.92 billion, accounting for 9.5% of the Philippines’ total GDP.
Duterte remains a polarizing figure, with his supporters defending his leadership, while human rights groups and the ICC continue to pursue charges related to his administration’s controversial “war on drugs.”
