Filipinos in HK unhappy with ex-president's arrest

As dusk fell on a Hong Kong beach, around a dozen Filipino migrant workers turned on their phone flashlights and placed them around an image of a clenched fist, a symbol of support for Mr Rodrigo Duterte.

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HONG KONG - As dusk fell on a Hong Kong beach, around a dozen Filipino migrant workers turned on their phone flashlights and placed them around an image of a clenched fist, a symbol of support for Mr Rodrigo Duterte.

The group bowed their heads and said a prayer for the former Philippines president, who faces charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity over his war on drugs.

"Please touch the hearts of President Marcos and the judges of the ICC," one of them said during the March 16 beach event, referring to current leader Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

"Whatever (Mr Duterte) needs to be held accountable for, we don't forget the victims, but bring him home."

ICC prosecutors allege that "potentially tens of thousands of killings were perpetrated" as part of a "widespread and systematic attack" on civilians during Duterte's years-long campaign against drug users and dealers.

But he still has pockets of strong support. Just about a week ago, Mr Duterte was in Hong Kong, greeted by cheering fans who packed a 2,000-seat stadium and the streets outside. His dramatic arrest upon returning to Manila stunned Philippine communities around the world, including Hong Kong's 200,000 domestic workers.