Solid North supporters of the now-defunct Marcos-Sara Duterte Alliance have signed up to join the “Bring Duterte Home Unity Motorcade” from Lingayen, Pangasinan to various parts of Manila and Quezon City to celebrate the 80th birthday of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, who was “kidnapped” and is now detained in a prison facility in The Hague, Netherlands to face trial for alleged crimes against humanity.
Claudine Roco, convenor of the Bring Duterte Home Unity Motorcade, told the DAILY TRIBUNE in a telephone interview from Lucena City that the motorcade will converge in Lingayen, Pangasinan and Lucena City at 6 a.m. on 28 March, then travel to Manila via service roads where more riders will join.
“It will be a 12-hour trip, and upon reaching Manila and Quezon City, candlelight ceremonies will be held at Liwasang Bonifacio and the People Power Monument,” she said.
She said the riders will wear green and bring flags, banners, and spirit as they ride together for unity and patriotism—aiming to make the event proud and unforgettable.
Major riders groups will lead the motorcade while volunteers will wait along service roads in the provinces as they travel to show their support to the former President who will be spending his 80th birth behind prison in a foriegn country.
Roco made the statement after former Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson expressed disappointment over Duterte’s arrest in a radio interview and called for the abolition of the ICC.
“Tanggalin ‘yang ICC na ‘yan,” Singson said.
Masada volunteers interviewed by the DAILY TRIBUNE said the arrest and “kidnapping” of the former President runs counter to the Ilocano tradition of utang na loob, a deeply rooted value of gratitude.
One Masada leader recalled that no less than the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., father and namesake of President Bongbong Marcos, honored the utang na loob tradition.
A leader from the Solid North recalled a tale of a fisherman who helped Marcos Sr. cross the sea from Cebu to Bohol during World War II, saving his life so he could rejoin guerrilla forces in Luzon.
The story claims that after the war, the elder Marcos ordered a search for the fisherman in Bohol, invited him to Malacañang to personally thank him, and gave him a lifetime job as caretaker of a government-protected area.
Marcos was quoted as saying, “You can accuse me of any crime, but you cannot accuse me of ingratitude.”
The group lamented that the former president fulfilled the elder Marcos’ dying wish to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani and helped his son return to power—yet was “kidnapped” and handed over to the ICC.
"In exchange for his kind act he was kidnapped and turned over to the ICC for trial by foriegners,” the leader said.
Benito Ranque, co-convenor of the movement, earlier announced that organizers have issued an advisory confirming preparations for the motorcade, which will feature green-clad riders joining the Bring Duterte Home Unity Motorcade.
He said the caravan is similar to the Edsa Jericho March held on 23 February at the People Power Monument in Quezon City.
A Jericho March or caravan is a form of prayer walk or spiritual journey, often done by groups or congregations. The purpose is to pray for or against something and ask for divine intercession or change.
The Jericho Marches seek God’s protection over “Tatay Digong” and Vice President Sara Duterte.
Earlier, the Return Duterte Movement declared March 28—the former President’s birthday—as “Green Hope Day,” to be marked with prayer and candlelight rallies seeking divine intervention for his return.
“We hope, pray, wait, and wait for the return of Tatay Digong,” Ranque 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 abroad are expected to hold their own prayer and birthday celebration rallies to show their support for the former President, who championed the plight of overseas Filipino workers during his six-year term.
Ranque said most Duterte supporters will light candles, sing the Philippine National Anthem, and chant “Duterte, Ibalik!”