Daily Tribune
Pro-Duterte supporters gathered in Malolos City, Bulacan, on Monday to pray and light candles for the release and safe return of Tatay Digong to the country.
Photo courtesy of Masada
Supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte held a candlelight prayer rally in Malolos City, Bulacan, calling for his release from ICC detention and safe return to the Philippines.
The Malolos 100, a group of retired military and police officers from Bulacan who previously supported the now-defunct Marcos-Sara Duterte Alliance (MASADA), has regrouped to hold prayer and candlelight rallies. The gatherings, which began on Monday night in Malolos, call for the release and safe return of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (FPRRD), who is currently detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC) holding facility in The Hague, Netherlands.
Benito Ranque, co-convenor of the movement seeking Duterte's return, told Daily Tribune that the Malolos 100 will lead peaceful prayer rallies in Bulacan and Rizal, seeking divine intervention for the former president.
The Malolos 100 were originally behind the Alyansa ni Bongbong at Digong (ALDUB) in Central Luzon during the 2016 presidential elections and later supported MASADA in 2022.
"The group chanted ‘Ibalik Tatay Digong’ as they lit candles," Ranque said.
Meanwhile, Ranque added that the recently reactivated Mayor Sara Duterte Alliance is planning similar rallies in Central Luzon, Cagayan Valley, and the Bicol region.
For the past three nights, prayer gatherings have been rapidly spreading across Mindanao, with communities lighting candles and offering prayers for Duterte’s return.
According to Manny Lumanao, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) president from the Caraga region, these mass gatherings have been increasing in number.
In Butuan City, vigils have also been held in Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Maguindanao, Davao City, and the island province of Dinagat.
"People are coming out of their homes, including senior citizens holding candles," Lumanao said.
He noted that spontaneous nightly prayer rallies have also been forming in Butuan, Tandag, Surigao City, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao City.
"At dusk, people begin gathering in public places for spontaneous peace rallies," he added.
