The president-elect of the Philippines is in Australia, just days after winning a big victory in last week's election.
Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr quietly flew into Australia on Monday.
News of his visit spread quickly among the Filipino community in Melbourne and, on Tuesday, a small group gathered to protest outside the serviced apartment where he is staying in the city.
Sources in the Filipino community said they believed the incoming president was in Australia to help his youngest son settle into the University of Melbourne, where he is enrolled to study.
Mr Marcos' spokesperson, Vic Rodriguez, confirmed the visit at a media briefing in Manila.
"It is more of a private trip … for a much needed rest and vacation of president-elect Bongbong," Mr Rodriguez told Reuters, adding he was due to return to Manila on Thursday.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed to the ABC he had called Mr Marcos to offer his congratulations.
Mr Marcos' overwhelming victory has stirred controversy, partly because of the notorious record of his father, Ferdinand Marcos Sr, who ruled the country for more than two decades.
The regime was notoriously corrupt and siphoned billions of dollars from state coffers.
Human rights groups estimate tens of thousands of Filipinos were detained and tortured under repeated crackdowns during his reign.
One protester, Philippine-born Melba Marginson, said she had terrifying memories of being a young dissident in the South-East Asian country under Ferdinand Marcos.
"I'm a martial law survivor. I was there and many of my friends were killed and tortured," she said.
"There are many of us here in Australia. So it's devastating for us that [we lost] the prime of our years.
"We were fighting against the regime … and now we see the continuation of the networks of these dictators."
Another protester, Moira Neglina, said she was worried that the new government would crack down against academics and teachers who told the truth about the legacy of the Marcos family.
"It is very concerning for the future of democracy in the Philippines. It's very concerning for the ability of people who want to be dissidents and speak out," she said.
"And it's very concerning for those who suffered from martial law and want the truth to come out."
Protesters also backed a campaign in the Philippines to force the younger Mr Marcos to pay a massive tax bill, of more than $4 billion dollars, reportedly due on his late father's estate.
However, those campaigns failed to dent the president-elect's popularity in the Philippines, where he appears on track to not only win the presidency, but also to dominate both chambers of Congress thanks to the victories of his political allies.
Several of his family members are also set to win political posts, reinforcing the renewed domination of the political dynasty in the country.
ABC/Reuters
