Davao City — The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) hailed the success of the Rody@80 Global Solidarity as One Davao Rally, which concluded with zero recorded incidents on Friday, 28 March. The event took place along key city streets, including Roxas Avenue, Claveria, and CM Recto Streets.
DCPO Acting City Director PCol. Hansel Marantan, in a Facebook post on 29 March, commended the peaceful and orderly conduct of the event, attributing its success to the strong collaboration between the people and security forces.
"The vigilance and cooperation of our fellow Davaoeños and visitors played a crucial role in maintaining a safe environment for all," Marantan stated.
He also urged the public to continue upholding Davao City's reputation as a model of discipline and security. "Safety is a shared responsibility, and our collective efforts in fostering a culture of alertness, respect, and cooperation will ensure that our city remains peaceful and secure. Once again, my deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to the event’s success. Let us carry forward this spirit of unity and commitment to the safety of our beloved city," he added.
An estimated crowd of over 100,000 gathered along Roxas Avenue, CM Recto, and Claveria Streets as early as 1 PM, with the event continuing until 10 PM
The program featured testimonies from people close to former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte, performances by local artists, a candle-lighting ceremony, and a drone show that displayed FPRRD’s signature Philippine logos before the massive crowd.
Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, who led the list of dignitaries, expressed his gratitude to the attendees for their overwhelming support of his father on his 80th birthday.
"I never expected this. My father usually doesn’t celebrate his birthday. But with you all here, it shows how good my father is," the younger Duterte said in vernacular.
He encouraged Davaoeños to remain strong and united, emphasizing that "if we stay together, we can achieve anything." He also called on supporters to pray for his father’s health, especially as FPRRD faces trials at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands.
Despite unexpected rain showers late in the evening, the crowd erupted into chants of "Duterte, Duterte" and "Marcos Resign," to which Baste responded, "Marcos, wala ka kung wala sila," referring to the people.
Among those present at the event were PDP-Laban senatorial candidates Christopher “Bong” Go and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, along with actor Philip Salvador.
Senator Bong Go led a candle-lighting ceremony, saying, "We pray for Tatay Digong’s health, and we must not stop calling for FPRRD to come home."
FPRRD’s younger brother, Bong Duterte, also addressed the crowd, thanking them for their unwavering support. He emphasized that Rodrigo Duterte must return to serve as mayor after the 2025 elections.
"You cannot retire. You have a mandate to serve, to bring back the glory days of Davao — the safest, cleanest, and most livable city for the world to see," he declared.
Local candidates from Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod also joined the gathering, showing their support.