The movement calling for the return of former President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday declared 28 March — the birthday of the former president — as “Green Hope Day,” with prayer and candlelight rallies to seek divine intervention for his return. Duterte is currently detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC) while awaiting trial for alleged crimes against humanity.
Benito Ranque, co-convenor of the movement, told the DAILY TRIBUNE that organizers for the prayer and birthday celebration rallies held a Zoom meeting Thursday evening. They have lined up activities involving prayers and candlelight vigils for what they described as “the saddest birthday of a former president,” who will be celebrating his special day “behind bars in a foreign country for serving the Filipinos.”
“We hope, pray, wait and wait for the return of ‘Tatay Digong,’” Ranque said.
During the meeting, organizers from various parts of the country and overseas presented their planned activities and pledged to submit reports of their prayer rallies to organizers, aiming to set a Guinness World Record for the largest prayer rally held in a single day.
The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP–Laban) in the Caraga region has also finalized plans for continuing prayer rallies. It was agreed that prayer, candlelight, and birthday celebrations would be held simultaneously in the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, 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 the birthday of ‘Tatay Digong,’” he said.
When the former president was arrested on 11 March, simultaneous rallies were held in key cities and towns in the region. Since then, nightly gatherings have continued.
Filipinos across the country and around the world will be holding their own prayers and birthday celebration rallies to show their support for the former president, who was known for championing the plight of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) during his six-year term.
Ranque urged supporters to light candles, sing the Philippine national anthem, and chant “Duterte Ibalik.”
“No amount of indignation rallies and protests can resolve the fate of Tatay Digong. Only divine intervention can change the course of the political landscape in the country,” he said.