DAVAO CITY – Supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte gathered at Rizal Park here during lunch break for a candle-lighting and prayer following his arrest on Tuesday, March 11.
PEOPLE light candles and pray at Rizal Park in Davao City following the arrest of former President Duterte on March 11. (Photo courtesy of Vice Mayor Jesus Melchor Quitain Jr.)
The former President's son, Mayor Sebastian Duterte, wrote on his Facebook account: "Bongbong Marcos admin is fantasizing that this scenario would materialize hoping that the issue on the national budget would just go away. The smell of desperation."
Vice Mayor Jesus Melchor Quitain Jr. called on Duterte supporters to remain calm. "We have to remain calm. We have courts of justice working," Quitain told reporters here.
Councilor Diosdao Mahipus Jr. here said the gathering was not a form of protest but it showed that people were saddened by the unfolding events.
City government employees also joined the gathering. "What it is important right now as the we, the people of Davao, should pray for the safety of FPRD especially that he is already 80-years-old,” said Jesus Joseph Zozobrado III.