An estimated 40,000 people coming from different regions in Mindanao endured the long lines during the annual gift giving at President Rodrigo Duterte’s old home in Bangkal, Davao City on Christmas Day.
Davao City Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) deputy head Angel Sumagaysay said that the lines stretched to a kilometer each.
Sumagaysay said that they had to cut off the line by 10:30AM as the huge volume of people continued to increase.
“There were some who were not able to avail themselves of the gifts as there were only 30,000 food packs prepared,” Sumagaysay said.
He said that they had anticipated a large number of people. However, they did not expect that there would be people coming from other areas such as Mati City in Davao Oriental and the Surigao provinces.
Sumagaysay said that some of the people pitched camps outside the President’s home.
He said that more than 1,000 security personnel were deployed in the area to ensure the safety of those falling in line.
The annual gift-giving tradition by the Dutertes, called the “Pahalipay ni Mayor”, had started since Duterte was still the city mayor in 1986. It was continued by her daughter, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
Sumagaysay said that the number of people increased from last year’s 25,000.
He said that they are expecting that the number would double for next year.
Sumagaysay said that no untoward incidents occurred during the event.
