The slogan “I stand with CM Baste Duterte” has been trending online since the wee hours of Saturday.
The slogan, which was started by the supporters of Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte online, came out following the rumors of the looming suspension of the mayor and other officials of the city government of Davao in connection with the Davao City’s war against drugs campaign circulated on social media on Friday.
The profile picture of the mayor’s Facebook page was even replaced with the slogan bearing the picture of House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
It can be recalled that the mayor has criticized Romualdez during the ‘Maisug’ rallies for allegedly leading the people’s initiative (PI) signature campaign that urged the people to rally behind the move to amend the Constitution supposedly to change only economic provisions, but intended to extend the term of the President.
However, Harvey Lanticse, head of the City Information Office (CIO) of Davao, said on Friday these reports were unverified and that there are no communications received by the City Mayor’s Office (CMO) concerning the rumored suspension of any official of the city government of Davao.
The alleged suspension was also disclosed by lawyer Harry Roque on the SMNI news channel online on Friday.
In March this year, Duterte declared Davao City’s war against illegal drugs and told those involved in illegal drugs to leave Davao City.
Following Duterte’s declaration, seven suspected drug personalities were killed during a buy-bust operations from March 23 to 26, 2024.
On May 24, 2024, Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) director Brigadier General Aligre Martinez ordered the removal of 35 personnel from the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) that took effect on May 22, 2024, due to the death of the seven suspected drug personalities.
