ALMOST a thousand supporters of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, including city officials and councilors, attended the candle-lighting event at Rizal Park on March 11, 2025, following the ICC’s (International Criminal Court) arrest warrant against him.
The supporters lit candles and held signs that read “We stand for FPRRD.”
Vice Mayor J. Melchor Quitain Jr. shared his frustrations as he said they felt helpless about the incident. He asked fellow Davaoeños to keep their hopes alive and continue their support for Duterte.
After the activity, motorcycle drivers went around the city while blowing their horns as part of the noise barrage in support of the former Davao City mayor.
Duterte was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Wednesday morning, March 11, after his trip to Hong Kong on a campaign sortie. The ICC issued the warrant of arrest against the former president over his deadly drug war.
On the same day, Atty. Israelito Torreon filed a petition for certiorari and TRO before the Supreme Court.
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines Davao also issued a statement warning about the impact of Duterte’s arrest on the country’s sovereignty. The lawyers group maintained that the Philippines is a non-member state of the ICC effective Mar 17, 2019, and is no longer bound by its obligations.
