In a powerful display of solidarity, Vice President Sara Duterte faced a massive crowd of more than 5,000 participants during a pre-dawn run event in Davao City on Sunday. The gathering, organized to show support for her detained father, former President Rodrigo R. Duterte, was marked by an emotional and hushed atmosphere.
A Quiet Gathering of Thousands Before Dawn
Long before the sun rose over Davao City, the streets were already filling with people. Participants from across the Davao Region and nearby provinces converged at the starting line. Some were stretching, others were praying, and many stood quietly in the dim morning light, all united by a single purpose: to run for "Tatay Digong." The former president is currently detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
The mood was unusually quiet for such a large event, but it shifted dramatically when Vice President Sara Duterte took the stage. The crowd erupted in cheers, which quickly subsided into a heavy, respectful silence as she prepared to speak.
VP Sara's Message of Gratitude and Clarification
"On behalf of the family, we thank you for your prayers and your continued support to former president Rodrigo Duterte," she told the assembled runners. The crowd was a diverse mix of parents with young children, teenagers sporting DU30 shirts, and entire barangay groups standing shoulder-to-shoulder.
Her tone then turned serious as she directly addressed a viral social media rumor claiming the former president had been found unconscious in his cell. "Dili to tinuod ug walay nahitabo na ing-ato… Ingun nya nga maybe it was just a prank by many of my supporters," she stated firmly, translating to "It wasn't true, and nothing like that happened... He said maybe it was just a prank by many of my supporters." A visible wave of relief passed through the audience upon hearing this clarification.
The Legal Battle and a Surge of Support
Vice President Duterte also spoke about the family's pending legal actions, framing the upcoming November 28 public hearing on the appeal for his interim release as both a legal and personal fight. "We hope to hear good news... But if not, the family will continue to support him in his stay in The Hague. And of course continue to work with his defense team with regard to his legal case," she affirmed.
Following her speech, she led the countdown and fired the starting signal, sending thousands of runners forward in a synchronized surge of footsteps. For the participants, the event transcended a typical fun run. It was a public vow, a promise that physical distance and detention would not weaken their loyalty. Organizers admitted they had prepared for a large turnout but were still overwhelmed by the actual number of people who came.
The overwhelming sentiment was clear: this was not a race. It was a resounding message from Davao to "Tatay Digong": "Padayon. Davao is still with you."
