DAVAO CITY – About 30,000 supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte marched on the streets of this city on Sunday, March 16, and called for his release from detention at The Hague in Netherlands.
SUPPORTERS of former President Rodrigo Duterte seek his freedom in a solidarity walk in Davao City on Sunday, March 16. (Keith Bacongco)
Dubbed as a solidarity walk, the event was the culminating part of the civic parade of the 88th Araw ng Dabaw celebrations.
Clad in black shirts, residents here carried banners and streamers mostly printed with “We stand with FPRRD” and “Bring Him Back Home.”
Participants were young professionals, vendors, entrepreneurs, medical professionals, farmers, indigenous peoples, teachers, and retirees.
“We are here to show our support to our former President and our former longtime mayor of Davao,” a retired school teacher said.
Residents also gathered on sidewalks and joined the chanting as the contingent passed by.
The solidarity walk kicked off after the civic parade from Roxas Ave., passed through CM Recto St., and culminated in front of the city hall on San Pedro St.
Some contingents in the civic parade were seen carrying the same posters and streamers.
Almost all throughout the solidarity walk, the participants chanted “Duterte,Duterte, Duterte!” and “Bring Him Back Home.”
Some participants mocked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Police Major Gen. Nicolas Torre through their chants.
Supporters of the former President have been organizing prayer rallies and noise barrages here since March 11.
Almost 100 cars and motorcycles held a noise barrage around this city on Saturday night.
Organizers said that rallies would not stop until Duterte is returned home.