DAVAO CITY (November 23) — More than 5,000 runners from across the Davao Region and neighboring areas joined the “Run for Du30” early Sunday, a solidarity event for former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte, who is currently detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
Participants began assembling at the starting area before 5 a.m., filling the route with supporters wearing DU30 shirts, barangay delegations, families, and fitness groups. Vice President Sara Duterte led the program and thanked the crowd for what she described as continued prayers and support for her father.
“On behalf of the family, we thank you for your prayers and your continued support to former president Rodrigo Duterte,” she said. VP Duterte also addressed circulating social media claims alleging that the former president had been found unconscious inside his ICC cell.
“Dili to tinuod ug walay nahitabo na ing-ato… Ingon nya nga maybe it was just a prank by many of my supporters,” she said, dismissing the rumor. She added that the family is awaiting the ICC’s public hearing on November 28 regarding the appeal for Duterte’s interim release. “We hope to hear good news… But if not, the family will continue to support him in his stay in The Hague, and of course continue to work with his defense team with regard to his legal case,” she said.
After the short program, VP Duterte led the countdown and fired the starting signal, sending thousands of runners through the designated city route. Organizers said they expected a strong turnout, but the number of participants exceeded their projections. For many supporters, the run served as a public show of solidarity. “Padayon, Tatay Digong. Davao is still with you,” one participant said.
