Rally calling for Duterte's release set in Talisay

Local

THOUSANDS of former allies of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will be holding a prayer rally to call for the release of former president Rodrigo Duterte from detention in The Hague on Saturday, July 19.

The gathering, organized by the Cebu United Parallel Groups, will take place at the Lagtang Gym in Talisay City, Cebu from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., with a mass preceding the program at 6:00 p.m.

Supporters from across Cebu, neighboring provinces, and even The Hague are expected to join in simultaneous actions demanding Duterte’s return to the country.

Facing trial before the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity linked to the thousands of killings during his administration’s anti-drug campaign, Duterte remains in detention after his March 11 arrest after arriving from Hong Kong.

The ICC cited evidence of extrajudicial killings in issuing the arrest warrant. Duterte has denied the charges.

A children’s feeding activity will be held at the venue between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., followed by a unity ride at 4:00 p.m. involving some 600 to 1,000 riders.

The convoy will travel from the Cansaga Bridge through Lapu-Lapu City, the old Mandaue-Mactan Bridge, South Road Properties, and conclude in Talisay.

Groups leading the rally include the Duterte Riders Team, Solid Inday Sara core group, and the Philippine Freedom Riders Club.

Organizers said the rally would be largely prayer-centered but will also feature patriotic performances, solidarity messages, and a video greeting from supporters based in The Hague.

Ian Gacrama, founder of the Philippine Freedom Riders Club, said the event is both a show of faith and protest.

“We will not be silenced. We stand in prayer and in unity,” he said.

Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro, the newly appointed PDP-Laban Cebu Council head, is expected to attend alongside other Duterte-aligned local officials.

Parallel groups from northern and southern Cebu, as well as supporters from outside the province, have been invited to join.

Many in the organizing groups now openly express disillusionment with the current administration.

Dan Salceda Jr. of Cebu for Sara Duterte pointed to what he called the Marcos Jr. government’s “betrayal,” noting that Duterte had arranged for Ferdinand Marcos Sr. to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani—a gesture he said should have earned loyalty in return.

Toto Lacro of the Sara Volunteer Action Group was more blunt: “Back in 2022, we were part of the UniTeam. Now, it feels like we’re just part of the budol.”

Organizers said the rally aims to pressure both the ICC and Malacañang while sparking renewed discussion on Duterte’s legacy, particularly among the communities that once stood behind the UniTeam coalition. The event is open to the public, with limited T-shirts to be distributed on-site.(MyTVCebu)