What started as a lighthearted birthday celebration among Duterte supporters in The Hague turned into a heated confrontation involving former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque. But according to one of the hosts, the dispute had little to do with food.
Alvin Sarzate, a well-known supporter of the Duterte camp in Europe, clarified in a Facebook livestream that the commotion during his birthday gathering was rooted in political disagreements, not over the Visayan pork dish humba that has since been dragged into the headlines.
“Can you imagine the headline? Because of humba, nag-away ang mga DDS? It’s a very cheap news to say na nag-away kami dahil sa humba,” Sarzate said, stressing that the misunderstanding was political in nature.
How the issue started
Tensions flared after some attendees relayed a social media post by a fellow supporter allegedly mocking Roque for enjoying humba. The remark triggered a confrontation, with Roque demanding that others “take a stand” against what he described as disrespect.
In the middle of the exchange, Roque even offered to pay for the dish to put the issue to rest, but another supporter insisted the food was “not for sale” as it was meant for everyone. The back-and-forth, captured in livestreams, quickly spread online and was sensationalized as the “humba quarrel.”
Roque issues apology
Sarzate later confirmed that Roque approached him to apologize for the incident after tempers cooled. “Nag-sorry siya,” he said, adding that while emotions ran high, the matter was resolved within the group.
The altercation drew attention because it unfolded in The Hague, where supporters and critics alike have gathered amid the ongoing International Criminal Court proceedings against former president Rodrigo Duterte. Roque, who previously served as Duterte’s spokesperson, has been vocal in defending the former president, though Vice President Sara Duterte earlier said he is not part of her father’s legal team.
