VICE President Sara Duterte was among the participants in the run in support of former President Duterte in Davao City. (Contributed photos)
DAVAO CITY – Around 5,000 runners from the Davao region and neighboring provinces gathered before sunrise on Sunday, Nov. 23, to participate in a fun run organized in support of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands.
Participants assembled as early as 4 a.m., with many stretching, praying, or quietly waiting for the event to start.
By 5 a.m., the crowd grew into a large mass of supporters, with majority wearing DU30 shirts and carrying banners expressing solidarity with the former President.
The atmosphere shifted when Vice President Sara Duterte arrived at the starting point. Supporters erupted into cheers and greeted the Vice President.
She addressed the crowd and thanked them for their support.
“On behalf of the family, we thank you for your prayers and your continued support to former President Rodrigo Duterte,” Vice President Duterte said, drawing the attention of parents with children, youth groups, and barangay delegations who filled the venue.
The Vice President directly addressed rumors circulating on social media that the detained former leader had been found unconscious inside the ICC detention facility.
SEN. Robin Padilla was also among those present. (Contributed photo)
She dismissed the claim as false. “It’s not true that he collapsed inside the detention facility. It did not happen. According to former President Duterte, ‘maybe it was just a prank by many of my supporters,’” she said, prompting visible relief among attendees.
Vice President Duterte discussed her family’s appeal before the ICC for her father’s interim release, noting that they were awaiting the results of the public hearing set for Nov. 28.
“We hope to hear good news for the public hearing on the appeal for his interim release on Nov. 28. But if not, the family will continue to support him in his stay in The Hague and continue to work with his defense team concerning his legal case,” Vice President Duterte added.
Following her remarks, the Vice President led the countdown and fired the starting signal, prompting thousands to surge forward.
Many participants said the event felt less like a fun run and more like a symbolic pledge of loyalty to the former President. Many of Duterte’s supporters said the run served as a unified message of solidarity.
Organizers said they anticipated a strong turnout but were surprised by the sheer number of participants.