MASS actions held Saturday by supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte in Metro Manila and other parts of the country were peaceful, the PNP said yesterday.
Duterte was arrested on March 11 on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity, shortly after arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City from Hong Kong. His supporters gathered at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City where he had been kept after his arrest, until he was flown later that day to the Netherlands where the ICC is based.
The PNP went on heightened alert nationwide several hours after Duterte’s arrest for “possible civil disturbance, rallies and mass actions” that may arise from the incident.
Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, PNP spokesperson, said the PNP is back to normal alert status.
However, Fajardo said the PNP’s alert status in Metro Manila may need to be raised anew to heightened alert if there will be “major events,” including protests.
On last Saturday’s events, Fajardo said in a radio interview that the “activities, protests, and rallies relating to the event last Tuesday were generally peaceful.”
Fajardo said the protests staged in various parts of the country, including at the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila and Duterte’s hometown Davao City, ended at around 11 p.m.
“We were monitoring since they (protesters) started their activities. It was orderly and we have not recorded any major untoward incident,” Fajardo said.
The protesters were seeking justice for Duterte and are demanding his return to the Philippines.
Yesterday during the celebration of the Araw ng Dabaw, Duterte supporters wearing black shirts staged a march to show their continuing support for the former president. In Manila, Duterte supporters rode motorcycles from Manila City to Quezon City.
Fajardo, asked if the PNP is expecting similar protests in the coming days, said organizers have to coordinate with the PNP and local government units “so they can be given appropriate security.”
Fajardo said the protesters do not need any permit to hold protest actions if they are the activities in freedom parks like Liwasang Bonifacio.
At the Liwasang Bonifacio on Saturday night, Duterte ally Sen. Christopher Go asked politicians formerly affiliated with Duterte to exhaust all efforts to him back home.
Go, echoing his former boss, said Duterte did only what is best for the country during his six-year term as president.
“Tatay Digong [Duterte] loved you all for six years … We even went to your birthday celebrations. Are you still having a good night’s sleep? Please, help Tatay Digong. He will not go into hiding … He will not run away because he cannot run since he already needs a cane. We cared for you in the six years of his presidency, he did not neglect you. Please help us,” an emotional Go said in Filipino.
Yesterday at the Araw ng Dabaw celebration, Go said those responsible for bringing Duterte to the Netherlands can also find a way to bring him back home.
He said Duterte’s private nurse, who was at The Netherlands to attend to the former president’s needs, was sent back home, leaving the Duterte without anyone to assist him in taking the 27 kinds of medicines he needs daily.
Go also appealed to Duterte’s supporters and allies to stay calm, warning them any violent action may be used against them. – With Raymond Africa
