DAVAO CITY—A massive crowd gathered in Davao City to honor former President Rodrigo Duterte on his 80th birthday. Thousands of supporters flooded the streets in a powerful show of solidarity.
The sea of people stretched from the Marco Polo Hotel down to Roxas Boulevard, with other groups occupying C.M. Recto Street and Palma Gil Street. Emotions ran high as Duterte’s face was displayed on large screens, with supporters chanting, “Duterte! Duterte! Duterte!” throughout the gathering.
Adela, a resident of Punta Dumalag, was visibly teary-eyed as she joined the crowd. “Tatay Digong Pauli na (Come home, Tatay Digong),” she cried out, her voice filled with longing. When asked how she felt celebrating her leader’s birthday while he remains inside a detention cell in The Hague, she responded in the vernacular, “I came here to be with his supporters, but I need to go home now to my family.” Though she deeply wanted to bring her family to the rally, Adela explained that the economic cost of attending the event with them would affect their food supply for the following week, making it difficult for her to stay longer.
The streets of Roxas (Freedom Park) were alive with vibrant energy as Duterte’s supporters united to celebrate his legacy despite his current situation abroad. Though Duterte remains detained in The Hague, Netherlands, his influence and connection with his people remain strong, with his supporters undeterred.
In a show of solidarity, Marco Polo Hotel, whose major stockholder is former Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez, who served under Duterte, lit heart-shaped lights on the building. This gesture further reinforced the bond between Duterte’s leadership and his supporters, extending the rally’s spirit into the evening.
A shopping mall closed early, and some schools implemented blended learning, as heavy traffic was anticipated due to the gathering. Others opted to stay in the city business district and join the supporters.
A large portion of the crowd was composed of individuals from religious groups. However, they preferred not to be identified as such, choosing instead to be recognized as citizens of the country.
Law student Lemuel Sta. Maria, who was staying in a nearby condominium, captured the breathtaking scene from above, where he estimated around 150,000 people gathered to honor the former president. “When I filmed the video, the crowd was overwhelming, and I estimated it to be around 150,000,” Sta. Maria said in an interview with Newsline.
Some supporters who Newsline interviewed shared that they had traveled from far-flung provinces to join the celebration. “I came all the way from Davao del Norte to show my support,” one woman said, while another supporter from Davao del Sur added, “This is for our leader. We traveled here to ensure he knows we are with him no matter what.” The long journey of many attendees underscores the deep loyalty and devotion Duterte continues to inspire across the region.
A government employee who attended the rally expressed how humbling it was to witness such massive support for Duterte. “It was overwhelming to see so many people come together to show their love and respect for a man who led our country through difficult times,” the employee said.
Former Cabinet Secretaries Leoncio Evasco and Wendel Avisado, alongside several senatorial candidates, took the stage to show their solidarity and publicly condemned the arrest as unlawful. They described the detention as a violation of legal rights, highlighting concerns over the fairness of the process and expressing their support for those affected.
The solidarity rally reminded us of the enduring bond between Duterte and his supporters despite the challenges he faces.
Meanwhile, a separate rally was held at Liwasang Bonifacio, where a group of individuals prayed for justice for the victims of the controversial drug war in the Philippines, highlighting the continued division surrounding Duterte’s legacy.
The event in Davao City marked Duterte’s 80th birthday and underscored the unwavering loyalty of his supporters, who continue to honor his leadership.
Edith Z Caduaya studied Bachelor of Science in Development Communication at the University of Southern Mindanao.
The chairperson of Mindanao Independent Press Council (MIPC) Inc.
