The PDP-Laban in the Cordillera region joined massive prayer rallies on Friday, seeking divine intervention for the release of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte from detention at the International Criminal Court (ICC) facility in The Hague, Netherlands.

PDP-Laban Cordillera Regional President Jun Saclag led a motorcade and a candlelight prayer ceremony at Rotonda, Tabuk City, on Sunday afternoon.

“The current events unfolding in the country indicate that divine intervention is already happening, and we expect the former president to be home soon,” Saclag told the DAILY TRIBUNE in a phone interview.

The Mayor Sara Duterte Alliance (MASADA) and PDP-Laban Cordillera are spearheading prayer rallies across the region, asserting that only divine intervention can determine Duterte’s fate following his arrest and extradition to The Hague, where he faces trial for alleged crimes against humanity.

“No amount of protests or indignation rallies can change Tatay Digong’s fate — only divine intervention can shift the political landscape of the country,” MASADA stated.

The group also noted the silence of former US President Donald Trump regarding Duterte’s arrest, implying that the former Philippine leader must now face his legal battle before an international tribunal alone.

Saclag also expressed gratitude to Filipinos in the Netherlands for holding prayer vigils outside the ICC detention facility in support of Duterte.

He added that Duterte’s arrest is expected to backfire, causing a “snowball effect” that is boosting the rankings of nine PDP-Laban senatorial candidates, who are now making their way into the Magic 12 in pre-election surveys.

Nationwide prayer and birthday celebrations planned

On Friday, Duterte’s supporters declared 28 March — his birthday — as “Green Hope Day,” calling for nationwide prayer and candlelight rallies to seek divine intervention for his release and return to the Philippines.

Benito Ranque, co-convenor of the Return Duterte Movement, said organizers have lined up activities, including prayers and candlelight ceremonies, for what they call the “saddest birthday of a former president,” as Duterte will be celebrating behind bars.

“We hope, we pray, and we wait for the return of Tatay Digong,” Ranque said.

The PDP-Laban in the Caraga region has also finalized plans for ongoing prayer rallies. It was agreed that the prayer, candlelight, and birthday celebrations will be held simultaneously across Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Islands, and the cities of Butuan, Surigao, and Tandag on 28 March.

“The prayer and birthday celebration will begin at dusk on Tatay Digong’s birthday,” Ranque added.

Since Duterte’s arrest on 11 March, simultaneous rallies have been held in key cities and towns, with nightly gatherings continuing in support of the former president.

Filipinos across the country and worldwide are also expected to hold their own prayers and birthday celebration rallies to show solidarity with Duterte, who was widely known for championing the rights of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) during his presidency.