Rody supporters turn Davao anniv into protest march

In his address to supporters on the occasion of the city’s 88th anniversary, Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte told participants of the “Solidarity Walk” that it has been a rollercoaster of emotions for him since the arrest of his father.

“I don’t understand what I am feeling. It has been a rollercoaster of emotions for me, but every time I see your support, it gives me strength,” he told marchers.

He was joined by reelectionist Sen. Bong Go in the rally.

“We will stand up and we will fight back,” Duterte’s youngest son added.

Meanwhile, TINGOG party-list Rep. Jude A. Acidre urged allies of the former President, who faces trial before the International Criminal Court to allow the law to take its course.

“The argument is simple — you killed, and that you must be held accountable. Don’t politicize the crime,” he said.

“Justice for those who were killed during the fake drug war,” he added.

Acidre said Duterte’s allies have resorted to misleading narratives to frame the ICC prosecution as a politically motivated attack rather than addressing the legal merits of the case.

“This is not about political vendettas. This is about justice for the thousands who were killed in the name of a drug war that disregarded due process. Instead of politicizing the process, they should allow the law to take its course,” he said.

Mayor Duterte, on the other hand, had harsh words for President Marcos.

“My father had your father buried [at the Libingan ng mga Bayani], but you had my father jailed. You son of a b****,” the city Mayor told the incumbent president amid the applause of supporters.

On Saturday, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa lashed out at Mr. Marcos Jr. during a prayer rally for Duterte in Manila.

“President Marcos always said the he did not recognize the ICC because we are no longer a member. He said he will no longer cooperate… but what did he do,” the senator told supporters.

“That [ICC arrest warrant] did not come from competent authority. That did not come from us. We should not recognize that because we are not a member [of the Rome Statute],” he added.

Dela Rosa served as the first Philippine National Police chief implementing Duterte’s war on drugs.

The reelectionist senator was one of the top officials tagged with Duterte in the ICC case.

Duterte was transported to The Hague to face trial after he was arrested at Manila International Airport upon his arrival from Hong Kong.

He is accused of being responsible for thousands of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during his administration’s supposed campaign to rid the country of narcotics.

Duterte appeared before the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber One on Friday via video link for his initial hearing on the charges he is facing.

The hearing, presided over by Judge Julia Antoanella Motoc, was a procedural step rather than a trial to confirm Duterte’s identity, inform him of his rights, formally present the charges, and set a date for the confirmation of charges hearing.

At the Hague, Duterte, through his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, reassured supporters that he will eventually be vindicated.