Around 350,000 Duterte supporters on Friday swarmed the C.M. Recto Avenue and Roxas Avenue for former President Rodrigo Duterte’s 80th birthday prayer rally in Davao City.
Supporters in green shirts braved the scorching heat as they started gathering as early as 1 p.m. near the Aldevinco shopping center and Marco Polo Davao for the biggest birthday celebration tendered for the former president and Mayor of Davao City dubbed “Rody at 80: Global Filipino Solidarity” prayer rally.
Emotions poured as some of the supporters cannot hide their sadness and couldn’t stop sobbing because of what happened to the former president who is currently detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands for charges of crimes against humanity.
Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte said looking at the throng of supporters who came up for the gathering, he thought his father is indeed a good man.
“Wala ko mag expect ug wa ko magtuo, seguro akong amahan maayong tawo gyud seguro,” the mayor said in his message.
Duterte also said FPRRD does not celebrate his birthday.
“Pag kana siya magbirthday magpuyo ra na sa iyahang kuwarto, magbukot ug habol, magpa aircon, magpalong ug suga. Dii na siya gacelebrate,” he said.
Duterte said seeing a large number of supporters attending the gathering is something FPRRD and their family are really thankful for.
“Dako ni nga butang sa amoa kay dili lalim na mapriso imong amahan apan gipili man na niya na kinabuhi ug tan-aw sad nako wa pud siya mawala sa atoa. Naa siya sa atong mga kasingkasing. Dili lang kaayo lisod sa among pamilya, kaming mga anak, mga apo ug mga igsoon niya, dili na kaayo ni lisod sa amoa nga wa siya karon kay naa man mo. Salamat kaayo,” he said.
The mayor also did not miss to throw shade to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. saying he would not have become president if it weren’t for the help of Duterte supporters.
“Kining Marcos-a ni nagpaka Marcos gyud ka. Laos naman unta ka. Nagpatabang la sa among bise presidente maong naa ka dinha. Marcos, tan-awa ni (Duterte supporters) wala ka dinha kung wala ni sila,” the mayor said.
The mayor shared that the problem started with the Marcos administration pressuring Vice President Sara Duterte on her confidential funds.
“Nagsugod ta, gitudlo nila ang atong kanhi mayor nga bise presidente nato nga naay problema sa confidential funds daw. Katong gihagit namo sila, kanang General Appropriation Act or Bicam report dili nila matubag sa Supreme Court karon. Asa nila gigamit ang kuwarta, pag abot sa election, ang ayuda ayuda nila dili lang sa Davao kundi tibuok Pilipinas nga patungtungan nila sa ilang kandidato kay gusto nila usbon ang hunahuna sa tawo pinaagi sa ayuda aron tanan politiko diri sa Pilipinas ilaha na tanan,” the mayor said.
The mayor urged the supporters to continue the fight.
Friday’s rally was attended by Senators Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa. Both lawmakers extended their birthday wishes to the former president.
Local political party founded by the former president, the Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod, also introduced its candidates for the upcoming mid-term elections in May.
The activity highlighted with a candlelight while the supporters sang in unison a “Happy Birthday” song for FPRRD.
The activity was capped with a drone show dedicated to FPRRD with his famous fistbump, the Philippine flag, his image, and his signature lighting up the night skies.
