HUNDREDS of thousands of people from across the Philippines are expected to gather in Davao City from March 28 to 29, 2025 for a historic rally in support of former President Rodrigo Duterte. The demonstration, coinciding with Duterte's 80th birthday, is a massive show of solidarity, with participation from grassroots groups across the region, for the Philippines’ former leader, who is currently detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, and facing charges of alleged crimes against humanity.
Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Captain Hazel Tuazon said they estimate that more than 100,000 participants in the city alone will join the event to be held at Freedom Park, Roxas Avenue, surpassing the large crowds recorded during the recent solidarity walk at the Parada Dabawenyo for Araw ng Dabaw.
During the peace covenant signing and candidate briefing for the upcoming National and Local Elections (NLE) on Wednesday, March 26, DCPO acting city director, Police Colonel Hansel Marantan, shared the details of the security preparations in an ambush interview with local media, saying that more than 5,000 personnel, including various units and agencies from the Public Safety and Security Office (PSSO), will be deployed across five designated sectors.
Of the total personnel, 1,800 will be from the DCPO alone. The five sectors to be covered by the deployment include:
Sector 1 - Ateneo Wing: Entire stretch of Roxas Avenue (800 meters)
2. Sector 2 - Aldevinco Wing: Entire stretch of Roxas Avenue (800 meters)
3. Sector 3 - Marco Polo Wing: From CM Recto St. to Veterans Memorial Rotunda (190 meters)
4. Sector 4 - Vivaldi Wing: CM Recto St. (170 meters)
5. Sector 5 - Avida Wing: Entire stretch of CM Recto St. (950 meters)
Meanwhile, the PDP Laban (Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan) announced on their official Facebook page that rallies and motorcades will continue to take place in various regions across the Philippines as well as internationally, especially on FPRRD’s 80th birthday. The party has encouraged its supporters to wear green as a sign of solidarity.
Lawyer Israelito Torreon posted on his social media account that as of March 27, the number of locations to hold rallies on March 28 has grown to 237 globally, reflecting a significant mobilization of supporters.
Since March 11, pro-Duterte groups have been staging large-scale rallies, drawing thousands of participants both locally and abroad. These events are driven by calls for the release of former Duterte, who has become a focal point of international attention due to his status as the first Asian head of state to face charges at the European-based court.
Supporters argue that the charges against Duterte are politically motivated and continue to demand his freedom, emphasizing the widespread and passionate backing he still has among his loyal followers. DEF
