Hundreds join Davao’s Luksang Bayan in protest against administration

DAVAO CITY – Hundreds of Davaoeños gathered at San Pedro Square on Tuesday to participate in a Luksang Bayan, a protest and collective mourning led by supporters of Vice President Sara Duterte.

The rally comes after a chaotic morning involving the controversial transfer of Duterte’s Chief of Staff, Atty. Zulieka Lopez, from St. Luke’s Medical Center to the Philippine Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMMC).

Duterte’s supporters, including former Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez, called on the public to unite against what they described as oppression targeting the Duterte family and their allies. Rodriguez encouraged citizens to make their voices heard, emphasizing the need for peaceful assembly.

“There will be a free assembly. Let’s allow our people to express their feelings,” Rodriguez said. He also appealed to law enforcement and military personnel, urging them to follow lawful orders during the protests.

In an impassioned plea, Rodriguez addressed Filipinos: “To our people, let’s break our silence, support the actions to be taken, and express our voices loudly.”

The protest, primarily organized through social media, saw gatherings in three key locations: San Pedro Square in Davao City, the Batasan Complex in Quezon City, and Carbon Market in Cebu. Protesters donned black as a symbol of solidarity and resistance.

Members of the Davao City Council joined the residents and a short program was held but the Duterte’s failed to come.

The Morning Standoff

The day’s events were triggered by the transfer of Atty. Zulieka Lopez from the Veterans Medical Memorial Center (VMMC) to St. Luke’s Medical Center after she reportedly suffered “anxiety” attack while inside the Batasan detention facility.

Lopez, who was detained by Congress on contempt charges following last Thursday’s hearing.

Duterte, however, opposed the move, insisting that Lopez remain at St. Luke’s as per the wishes of her family. Duterte temporarily blocked the transfer, creating a tense standoff before Lopez was eventually moved under tight security.

When Lopez’ condition stabilized, Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) read an order from the House of Representatives mandating Lopez’s transfer to the VMMC.

Tight Security and Rising Tensions

Security around the VMMC has been significantly heightened following Lopez’s transfer, a development that Duterte has publicly criticized. Despite recovering from her anxiety attack, Lopez remains at the center of a political firestorm, with Duterte accusing the administration of targeting her and her staff.

While Lopez was detained, Duterte remained close by, reportedly sleeping in the office of her brother, Davao City First District Representative Paolo Duterte, since she was not allowed access to Lopez’s hospital room.

Duterte’s Alarming Warning

In a virtual press briefing, Vice President Duterte issued a chilling warning to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

“If I am killed, all three of them will also be killed,” Duterte said, without naming who might carry out such an order. She accused Romualdez of plotting to kill her, a claim rooted in their long-standing feud over the scrutiny of the Office of the Vice President’s 2024 confidential funds.

The protest highlights the deepening divide between the Duterte camp and the Marcos administration. The Luksang Bayan serves as a powerful statement of dissent, with supporters rallying behind the Vice President and demanding accountability for what they see as systemic efforts to undermine her office.

The ongoing tensions, coupled with accusations of targeted oppression, have cast a shadow over the administration’s handling of the situation, raising concerns about the impact on national unity and governance.