Supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte in the entire country gathered in separate locations across the country on Tuesday to express indignation after he was arrest at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) led by Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Police Major General Nicolas Torre III served the arrest warrant to Duterte issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the former president’s alleged crimes against humanity over his war on drugs campaign upon his arrival from Hong Kong.
In Davao City, the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) reported that an estimated crowd of 1,100 gathered at Rizal Park for a candle-lighting and prayer rally in support of the former president. Some of the supporters ripped, trampled, and burned photos of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for the allegedly unjust arrest of the former president.
The prayer rally was officiated by Father Bong Gonzaga wherein the supporters carried the call ‘We stand for FPRRD.”
Emotions poured out when they saw on LED monitors that Duterte was being boarded on a private plane that would bring him to The Hague in the Netherlands.
“I am deeply saddened that it has come to this. Being a Dabawenyo I know that FPRRD has always been a patriot, he loves the Philippines and every Filipino, thus, it is not right and it is unfair that he’ll be treated like a criminal,” Vice Mayor Melchor Quitain Jr. told Edge Davao.
Like Quitain, who urged the Dabawenyos to remain calm and pray for the former president, Councilor Pilar Braga also implored the Dabawenyos to continue praying for Duterte.
“We the Dabawenyos, nasayod na gyud kita kung kinsa si Tatay Digong. Mao na ginapangga gyud nato siya. Kitang mga Dabawenyos we know may pusong mamon si Tatay Digong, akong hangyo sa tanan na dungagan nato ang atong pag ampo that Tatay Digong will be treated very well and with all due respect. We continue to pray not only for Davao City, kay we are celebrating our Araw ng Dabaw but as I said murag dili kaayo ta happy sa atong celebration but still we hope for unity and fight for what is right,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Cotabato City Plaza in Cotabato City was packed with thousands of Bangsamoro people to show their strong support for FPRRD. The rallyists gathered with their placards and banners, simultaneously expressing their condemnation of the arrest of the former president and their call for his release.
Supporters of the former president also staged candle-lighting ceremonies in Cagayan de Oro City, Tagum City, Iligan City, Mati City, Bukidnon, Koronadal City, Quezon City, and Maasin, Leyte.
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go emphasized that the issuance of the warrant of arrest by the ICC is an affront to the sovereignty of the Philippines.
“As I have reiterated before, the ICC should not interfere with our domestic affairs. And that is because, aside from the fact that we are no longer a member of the ICC, our domestic courts remain fully operational and independent. Katunayan, merong mga kasong naisampa na. May mga imbestigasyong isinagawa din ang Executive at Kongreso. Sabi nga ng dating pangulo, handa naman siyang harapin ang anumang asunto laban sa kanya basta kapwa niya Pilipino ang maghuhusga sa kanya,” the senator said.
Go urged the Filipinos and supporters of the former president to remain calm.
“At sa ating mga kababayan, umaapela ako na maging mahinahon tayo. Ayaw nating magkagulo dahil ang kawawa dito ay ang mga Pilipino. Hayaan natin ang mga legal na proseso na gumulong, basta kung ano lang ang tama at legal ayon sa mga batas ng Pilipinas,” he said.
Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod described the arrest of FPRRD as a grave miscarriage of justice.
“The lack of due process, coupled with the Philippines’ non-membership in the ICC, raises serious concerns about the legitimacy of these proceedings. This action reeks of political persecution, a blatant attempt by the BBM administration to deflect attention from the far more critical issues facing our nation: the scandalous misuse of public funds, rampant corruption within the government, and the devastating poverty experienced by millions of Filipinos,” it said.
The local political party underscored that the current administration’s actions are “a cynical ploy to bury the truth and silence dissent.”
“The Filipino people are bearing the brunt of this administration’s incompetence and corruption, struggling under the weight of economic hardship and social inequality. This is not merely a political dispute; it is a direct assault on the very foundations of our democracy,” it said.
