MAYOR Sebastian Duterte will support any movement against the national administration as long as it follows the “rule of majority.”
Duterte said during the Basta Dabawenyo 11th episode on Sunday that his support will depend on the thrust of the movement.
“Kung tan-aw nako ang kadaghanan sa mga tawo gyud wala na ganahi, mo-uban ko,” he said.
He added he does not mind doing it alone and his support goes to the oppressed.
“Pwede raman gihapon og ako sa usa. Para akoa, kung ang naipit ang mga tawo, didto ko,” the mayor said.
This is in line with the 52nd year of Martial Law on Saturday after the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. placed the country under Martial Law on September 21, 1972.
Late Soledad “Soling” Duterte, the mayor’s grandmother, led the Yellow Friday movement in Davao, a protest rally after the assassination of former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. in August 1983.
Soling was a prominent figure in the city that helped end the Marcos dictatorship in 1986.
When asked if the country will be placed under martial law anew, the mayor said it depends on the reason and motive behind it.
The mayor cited the case in 2017, where his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte signed Proclamation 216 placing Mindanao under martial law due to terrorism threats from the Maute group in Marawi.
Under the FPRRD administration, martial law lasted from May 2017 to December 2019.
The mayor said FPRRD’s declaration was different from that of Marcos Sr. as it is to contain the terrorist group and secure Mindanaoans.
However, he repeatedly declined to give a statement regarding the martial law in Marcos’ time since he was yet to be born at that time.
On Wednesday, Sept. 18, the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) announced road closures set for Sept 21 Martial Law commemoration, however, the post was retracted on Thursday, Sept 19 by the agency. However, the same office later announced the event was canceled.
The city council approved the resolution and ordinance on Tuesday following the request of Mikhal Evasco, Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod (HTL) Party deputy secretary general.
In the letter dated Sept. 5 sent by Evasco to the CTTMO, HTL is supposedly spearheading the event.
“The commemoration aims to raise awareness about the historical significance of Martial Law, honor those who were gravely affected by its injustices, and remind our leaders that the Filipino people would never again want to experience such a grim period in our history,” the letter reads.
The mayor, along with Vice President Sara and Rep. Paolo Duterte, is a member of HTL, founded by FPRRD in 2011.
