DAVAO CITY –Island Garden City of Samal Mayor Al David Uy has estimated about 50,000 supporters join the prayer rally organized by Hugpong ng Maisug at the provincial sports complex on Sunday night.
The Mayor’s figure is based on the comparative lists and information shared by local chief executives who joined the rally.
The figure shared by the Mayors belies the report submitted by Davao del Norte Police provincial commander Colonel Alexander Serrano that the attendees were only 7,500.
“The PNP estimate is 7,500, that is too small, I have attended so many rallies in the past, that figure is unbelievable,” Uy added.
The social media live streaming of SMNI also reflected 16,235 viewers while One DavNor Network’s Social media livestream showed 2,700 viewers at any given time respectively. These Are over and above the other social media livestream by different groups.
Supporters from Samal Island over 1,5000, according to Uy “Groups from Samal hired eight (8) big buses which were filed with supporters who wanted to join the Tagum Rally and they showed me the attendees and aside from that there were vans filled with people because private groups also offered their vans,” which were not documented the Samal organizers.
Uy however lamented “Actually they hired the Metro Shuttle buses, the company confirmed but until 1:30 p.m. it did not arrive as agreed, so they hurriedly hired Bachelor, and many were left behind and opted to watch the online streaming of the event.”
The Panabo City delegation, according to Mayor Jose Relampagos, was more than 7,000 aside from those who went with their private cars.
“It is not realistic that the rally was attended by only 7,500 based on what I witnessed,” Uy repeatedly said.
“There were about 30,000 inside the bleachers, aside from those at the stage and near the swimming pool ground and the periphery, there were those stock at the gate, those who guarded the sports complex while some of those who came from Samal opted to stay at the Capitol compound because they wanted to guard Kuya Gov,” uy added.
Vice mayor Allan Rellon earlier said, he expects Tagum City to deliver at least 20,000 supporters to join the rally
Arnel, a staff at the Governor’s office who was privy to the number of attended said “Based on the list they submitted, Kapalong close to 7,000; Talaingod supporters around 1,000; New Corella group was more than 3,000; Braulio Dujali group and Carmen had around 300 each town, Sto. Tomas said their delegation is over 1,000 and the San Isidro group is almost 1,000, Asundcio town also registered almost 500 supporters.
“The delegation from Davao City was also a big number, there were huge supporters from Caraga Region, as far as North Cotabato, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, they said they are members of the Maisug group,” Arnel added.
The Overseas Filipino Support groups from all over Mindanao attended the event.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte said, “That was the biggest crowd we had outside Davao City.”
The conservative estimate of the PNP, according to one official “is understandable because they were advised to suppress and downplay the rally.”
Jubahib in an interview with reporters thanked the Duterte’s and all the supporters for joining the rally and making it a peaceful assembly.
