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PROTEST. Supporters of Rodrigo Duterte gather at the Rizal Park in Davao City, to protest the arrest of the former president, on March 11, 2025.
Manman Dejeto/Rappler
Duterte loyalists continue to organize protests in different Mindanao regions as tensions rise over his arrest
MANILA, Philippines – Supporters of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte mobilized to continue staging pocket rallies across Mindanao on Wednesday, March 12, to denounce his arrest as a political attack against their leader.
Duterte, 79, has been taken to The Hague, Netherlands, to face the International Criminal Court (ICC) where he has been accused of crimes against humanity related to the thousands of extrajudicial killings during his presidency and tenure as Davao mayor.
The ICC has asserted jurisdiction despite the Philippines’ withdrawal from the court in 2019, citing the crimes committed while the country was still a member.
His arrest has deepened divisions in the country’s political landscape, further straining ties between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, the former president’s daughter.
While human rights advocates welcomed the move, calling it overdue justice for victims of Duterte’s bloody drug war, his supporters condemned the arrest as political persecution and foreign interference.
In Kidapawan City, Cotabato province, a prayer rally has been set for Wednesday night, organized by lawyer Mokey Remetio.
Kidapawan Mayor Paolo Evangelista approved a larger space along a section of a major road in anticipation of a huge turnout of Duterte supporters.
“For the safety and convenience of all participants, I have ordered the temporary closure of the portion of the highway fronting Mega Market for the entire duration of the rally,” Evangelista said.
However, Evangelista cautioned politicians against grabbing the opportunity to subtly campaign, saying they should remain on the sidelines so that the rally would be non-partisan.
Ex-Cotabato governor and former Duterte agriculture secretary Emmanuel Piñol said he would join the rally.
“I fully support the prayer rally and agree that it should not be politicized,” Piñol wrote on his Facebook page.
Organizers said they expected Duterte supporters from neighboring Cotabato towns, including Makilala, Magpet, Tulunan, and Mlang, to join the gathering. Participants have been advised to bring their own food and water and to ensure cleanliness.
In Midsayap, Cotabato, a two-night gathering has been scheduled on Wednesday and Thursday, while a motorcade followed by a rally is set to take place from Isulan to Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat.
In Duterte’s political stronghold of Davao City, another gathering is set for 6 pm at a gymnasium in Barangay Talandang, Tugbok District.
A group of Maranaos planned to assemble after their Tarawi prayer to express their support in Marawi City on Wednesday evening.
In Zamboanga City, Duterte loyalists prepared for a second night of protest at the Yubenco Tetuan open grounds. Organizers said they would seek approval to move to RT Lim Boulevard at 8 pm for a larger demonstration.
Zamboanga City administrator Wendel Sotto said a security clearance from the police was required before a permit could be issued.
The previous night’s rally in Zamboanga drew key political figures, including District 1 Representative Khymer Adan Olaso, former mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco, and ex-Social Welfare assistant secretary Jade Jamolod. Smaller gatherings were held in Recodo, Santa Maria, and Tetuan, where groups lit candles in solidarity with those protesting Duterte’s arrest.
Elsewhere, Duterte supporters staged rallies in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay province.
In Siay town, Mayor Jarvis Acosta, a congressional aspirant for Zamboanga Sibugay’s 2nd District, led a rally Tuesday night, urging Sibugaynons to stand behind Duterte. He announced plans to continue the demonstrations in Ipil, the provincial capital, on Wednesday night.
In Cagayan de Oro, pro-Duterte activities ranged from free T-shirt printing at Gaston Park on Wednesday afternoon to a caravan starting from Rodelsa Rotonda at 6 pm.
Cagayan de Oro Councilor Girlie Balaba, known for her close ties with Duterte, said the activities would culminate in a “Justice for PRRD Rally” at 6:30 pm, led by the Northern Mindanao Riders Club Association. – Rappler.com
